Allen J. Petty

FAIR HAVEN — Allen J. “Bud” Petty, 85, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 7, 1927, in Brandon, the son of Amos and Nina (Hart) Petty.

He graduated from West Rutland High School.

Mr. Petty enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1945 and served until 1948, including in the Panama Canal Zone.

He married Kathleen St. John on Sept. 11, 1949.

He was an auto body technician for over 50 years and owned Bolger Street Body Shop in Fair Haven since 1978.

Mr. Petty was a member of American Legion Post 49, Eureka Lodge 75 Free and Accepted Masons, both in Fair Haven, and the former Bomoseen Boat Club.

He was a country & western band musician, gave guitar lessons and enjoyed reading. He was also a history buff and fifth-generation Vermonter known for his Yankee wit.

Survivors include his wife of Fair Haven; three children, Terrance Petty of Portland, Ore., Alana Petty of Castleton and Suzan Brower of Fair Haven; three grandsons; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two siblings, John Petty and Ruth Laliberte.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Mallory Funeral Home, 4 South Park Place, Fair Haven, where friends may call from 10 a.m. prior to the service officiated by the Rev. Marshall Hudson-Knapp, pastor of Fair Haven Congregational Church.

Burial will be at a later date in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Fair Haven.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Fair Haven Rescue Squad, 17 Prospect St., Fair Haven, VT 05743-1220; or Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT 05763.