James Samuel Petre, 72, of New Eagle, formerly of Venetia, left this earth peacefully in his home with his family at his side on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Those that knew him called him Jim, Jimmy and "Hot Rod."

James was an underground coal miner, mechanic and welder at Mathies Mine/ Mon View Mining from the time he was 18 years old until they closed in 2000.

His hobbies included fishing (years ago with his favorite fishing partner, his father-in-law, who he lovingly called "Salami" because he was a stubborn Italian man), and stock car racing (once he caught a car on fire and kept trying to finish the race).

He loved restoring old cars, especially his 1957 Chevy Bel Air, that he diligently tracked down all of the original parts for, and his 1931 Chevy Street Rod currently torn apart in his garage that his grandson, Kamden, plans to restore and care for in his memory.

He loved going to car shows and parts swap meets, and talking about cars to anyone who shared his passion for them.

He enjoyed doing all the body work on his cars in his home garage, and would almost sand the body until it was gone, but only because he wanted it to be absolutely perfect.

He was a "jack of all trades, master of none" kind of man and those that knew him know this. He could fix almost anything, even if it meant getting launched across the garage by a spring that launched out of a vice, shutting his ear in a car door, using duct tape, body putty, and zip ties, but he fixed it!

He would give anyone the shirt off his back, even if he burnt a hole in it with a cigarette or it was greasy from working in the garage.

James is survived by his wife of 51 years, Deborah Ann Pasqualini Petre; two daughters, Jamie (Terry) Kray, Jody Petre; five grandchildren, Kendall, Krystallynn, Karley, and Kamden James Kray, and Braden Petre; three great grandchildren, Evelynn, Leo, and Phoenix Kray; niece, Joanna Ehlinger; nephew, Jason Petre; grandsons-in-law, Dwain Alvarado and Shawn VanHorn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mildred Farnsworth Petre; brother, Earl Petre, Jr.; sister, Carol Petre.

There will be no visitations for Mr. Petre. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to the Frye Funeral Home, Inc.