Peter ‘Butch’ Petrou

HAVERHILL - Peter ‘Butch’ Petrou, 81, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

Cherished husband of Paula (Ryan) Petrou.

Peter (Butch) Petrou was born on March 10, 1943 in Haverhill, Massachusetts and is the son of Peter Petrou and Frances (DeCristofaro) Petrou. Butch was born and raised in Haverhill, was an altar boy at St. Rita’s Church, attended Central Catholic High School and Merrimack College. He then went on to serve in the United States Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey. In 1967 Butch met and married Paula Ryan and their love story continued for 57 years. Butch and Paula were blessed with five beautiful children – Peter, Beth, Christopher, Samantha and Philana.

Butch’s family has deep roots in the restaurant industry which allowed him to discover his true talent in the kitchen. At 10 year’s old he began making meatballs alongside his cousin James Fiorentini for their Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Guido Scamporino at the original Roma Restaurant on Washington Street in Haverhill. Butch left his mark at every restaurant he ever worked at including Butcher Boy Restaurant, The Bradford Tavern, Seafoods, Inc. The Maverick Steakhouse, The Studio Restaurant, Brando’s, The Tap, Toula’s Trattoria, and Striper’s Grill; Butch was a legend! It was then time for Butch to have what he deserved because of his hard work, dedication and immeasurable talent - a place to call his own, Butch’s Uptown. Here he could truly feel at home working alongside his children and wife and where he left his final mark. If he was not at the restaurant you would find him at Saratoga, New York, enjoying his two favorite loves, Paula and horseracing.

Butch is survived by his loving wife Paula, daughter Beth and her husband Michael Finn, son Christopher and his girlfriend Lindsay Grazio, daughter Samantha and her husband Marc Fiscel, several grandchildren, his brother Joseph Petrou and his wife Lainie, niece Courtney and husband Timothy Bateman and cousin Stephen Petrou. He is preceded in death by daughter Philana, son Peter and cousin Michael Petrou. 
“Go See Peter Dad.”

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Services will begin Friday in the funeral home at 9:00 AM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 S. Main Street, Haverhill at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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