GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jerry Petrie, 59, of Avon, passed away Wednesday, May 28, at Shands Hospital, with his loving wife, Gayle and daughter, Tiffany by his side, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 12, 1948, in Farmington, to Merton and Lois (Fagan) Petrie. He was educated in Farmington schools and Vero Beach, Fla., and graduated from Vero Beach High.

On April 11, 1969, he married Gayle Nickerson of West Freeman. Together they raised three children, sons, Brian and Mark and daughter, Tiffany. He was a very loving and caring husband and father.

He loved to go hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, “jeeping,” snorkeling and scuba diving. In his younger years, he also loved motorcycling. He and Gayle once took a trip to Florida, on his motorcycle, camping out along the way.

As a teenager, he was a lifeguard at Vero Beach and later was employed at Piper Cub and then owned Coast Construction Co. at Vero Beach. After returning to Maine, he owned and operated Jerry’s Machine Shop in Farmington. He then went to work in the machine shop at the I.P. Mill in Jay, where he worked for 20 years, before retiring due to ill health.

He and Gayle made their home in Avon and also had a home in Citra, Fla., where he always enjoyed going in the winter.

He is survived by his wife, Gayle; sons, Brian of Poland and Mark of North Anson; daughter, Tiffany Bain of Bel Aire, Md.; his mother, Lois Harrison and stepfather, Daniel Harrison of Kingfield; his brothers, Randy Petrie of Pensacola, Fla., Mark Petrie of Mississippi, and Louisiana, Ronald Petrie of Chester, N.H., and Elmon Dyar Jr. of North Jay; sister, Brenda Helton of Vero Beach, Fla.; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Merton; and infant brother, Jimmy Petrie.