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Final Salute
BU2 Ronald Lee Petaja
PO2/BU2
Ronald Lee Petaja, age 78, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024, at his home in Crestwood.
Born November 9, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of the late Robert and Virginia Petaja. He graduated from Michigan State University and worked for over 50 years in the building and remodeling industry in both Detroit and Louisville. Ron served in the US Navy from 1968 to 1970 in the Naval Construction Force Seabees.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Nye Petaja; his children Danielle Petaja and Matt (Jennifer) Petaja; his five grandchildren, Griffin and Evelyn Artinian, and Cooper, Hadley and Gentry Petaja; his siblings, Jim (Shannon), Ann (Larry) Chappel and Jeanette (Todd) Waara; and his extended family.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hosparus of Louisville
If you would like to share an obituary of a loved one to be listed here, please contact the Navy Seabee Foundation at info@seabee.org.