DR. FRANK PETROLA
Dr. Frank Joseph Petrola, 77, was called to heaven on Saturday, July 1, 2023. He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. Frank was born on October 17, 1945, in Steubenville, to the late Frank and Victoria Augustine Petrola. He is also preceded in death my his one sister, Teresa Jones
He graduated high school from Steubenville Catholic Central in 1963. He commenced his collegiate education, studying biology at the College of Steubenville, graduating cum laude in 1967. After graduation, he served as a National Institute of Health Predoctoral fellow at the University of Arkansas for two years, before continuing on to medical school at Autonomous University of Guadalajara, graduating in 1973. He then returned home to the Ohio Valley, completing his residencies at Allegheny General Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, before setting up a family practice in Steubenville. Six years later, at a local medical conference, he met Eileen Micklos, an obstetrics nurse at Ohio Valley Hospital. After continuously “running into” Eileen while making rounds, they were married in 1979 and had two sons.
Over Frank’s medical career he held private practices in Steubenville; Duncan Falls, OH; and Cary, NC. One of the things he truly enjoyed was spending the extra time with his patients. In addition to his private practices, he was the Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine for Trinity Health Systems, President of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, and a member of the Board of Directors for Premier Healthcare and St. John Family Health Centers. After retiring from private practice in 2003 he continued to serve the Steubenville community as the Jefferson County Health Commissioner. In 2004, Frank helped co-found the Jefferson County Fourth Street Health Center, currently known as the Ohio Valley Health Center, a free clinic providing medical care to those who cannot afford health insurance, in which he also served as their Medical Director. Due to Frank’s faithful service to his patients and the Steubenville community, he received statewide recognition and was awarded the Ohio Association of Free Clinics Champion of Free Clinics Award as well as the Franciscan University Father Dan Egan Award.
Frank was an avid sports fan, who loved cheering all local sports teams, but especially all levels of football. This love of sports led to Frank volunteering his time on Friday and Saturday nights as a team doctor for both the Steubenville Big Red and Steubenville Catholic Central football teams.
Frank is survived by the love of his life, his wife and best friend of 43 years Eileen; two children Christopher (Jackie) and Dr. Frank (Dr. Katie); three grandchildren Vittoria, Olivia, and Santino; and two sisters Judy Crawford and Karen Aulet.
The family would like to thank all of the health care workers who have been involved in Frank’s care for the past few years. We truly appreciate you providing the best care and support for those who need it most: your compassion, optimism and kindness do not go unnoticed. We would especially like to thank Dr. Stephen Kuruc for being Frank’s longtime doctor and friend. thank you for your selfless attention and time that you put into Franks care.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the Mosti Funeral Home, Sunset Chapel 4435 Sunset Blvd, Steubenville. A funeral liturgy with Mass will be held Thursday at 12:30pm at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ohio Valley Health Center, 423 South St. Steubenville, OH 43952 and the Triumph of the Cross Parish, 280 Rosemont Ave, Steubenville, OH 43952.
Please join in sharing cherished memories at www. mostifuneralhome.com