Dean “Deano” Petro: 1955-2014 Some have described “Deano” Petro as loud, obnoxious, driven, persistent, humorous, generous and compassionate all at the same time. Above all, he was happy. Petro died in his home in Kalaheo on Friday morning after a
Dean “Deano” Petro: 1955-2014
Some have described “Deano” Petro as loud, obnoxious, driven, persistent, humorous, generous and compassionate all at the same time. Above all, he was happy.
Petro died in his home in Kalaheo on Friday morning after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 58 years old.
Throughout his ordeal, Petro never once complained about his illness.
“My dad always told me to never make excuses,” said Petro’s daughter, Alexandra “Ali” Petro. “He always supported me and said to follow my instincts … I’ve always kept that.”
Petro was born in New York City on March 31, 1955. He came to Kauai from Gardena, Calif. in 1974.
He eventually started a business as a contractor. It was through his business he would meet some of his closest friends.
“He was just a wild, crazy carpenter. He was so strong,” said longtime friend Ryan Baniaga. “He was as strong as an ox, but had the kindest soul.”
Baniaga described his relationship with Petro as “brothers from another mother, but from the same Heavenly Father.”
“Deano completed me, and I think I completed him as brothers should,” Baniaga said. “I really never had one, so I was lucky enough to have him.”
Petro was well-known on the island for coaching high school football. He served under former coach Keli’i Morgado at Kauai and Kapaa high schools for 14 years as an offensive line coach and together they won five KIF championships.
“We had a unique bond from the start,” Morgado said of Petro. “He was an uncle figure to me … Being young (at the time), I didn’t have that worldly experience. He was always there for me … It’s a scary thought that he’s not there.”
Petro was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008. From 2009 through 2012, he had six surgeries and underwent chemotherapy every Tuesday. Nonetheless, he continued coaching and hardly missed a practice.
Morgado said Petro would say, “I didn’t have cancer. I lived with cancer. Cancer didn’t have me.”
“He wasn’t bed-ridden. He was still fighting,” Morgado said. “He loved football and he loved helping the team. He was very generous with his time.”
Kapaa High junior Maka Ahloo played for Petro during the last three seasons as an offensive guard.
Ahloo said Petro’s humor and work ethic are two things he’ll remember most about his coach, whom he called “Big Daddy.”
“He was a really funny guy … He just made me figure that there is no reason to complain,” he said about his coach. “He’s one of the toughest guys I know. I know he wouldn’t want anyone to feel bad for him.”
Sean Shigematsu also played for Petro from 2008 through 2010. He now plays left tackle for the University of Hawaii and said Petro was one of the reasons he now plays at the collegiate level.
“He said I had the potential to be a Division I athlete,” Shigematsu said. “Any former player, coaches and personnel really know how special this man was.
“He was genuinely a great man. He devoted a lot of his time to us. I’m really appreciative,” he added.
Wailua Homesteads resident Randy Weir had been friends with Petro for at least 34 years. He said his friend was good at seeing the positive side of things.
“He’s a physically big guy and his spirit was just as big,” Weir said. “He had a big laugh and smile. He had a good sense of humor. I don’t know how the hell he did it.”
Ali added through his fight with cancer, Petro grew closer to those closest to him.
“Through his sickness, my faith got stronger,” she said. “It was more than just a father and daughter relationship. He was my best friend.”
Petro is survived by his daughter Ali, his son Michael, sister Meridith, mother Marie and dog Tony.
Services will be held on Friday at St. Rafael’s Catholic Church in Koloa at a time to be announced later.
