Joseph Wayne Pettorini

Joseph Wayne Pettorini, age 74, of Rhinelander, and formerly of Sterling, Illinois, passed away on July 13, 2024. He was born on February 10, 1950, in Sterling, Illinois, to Joseph A. and Charlotte (Fowler) Pettorini.

Following the early death of his mother, Joseph and his two brothers resided at the St. Vincent Home in Freeport, Illinois, for seven years. After remarrying, Joseph’s father was able to reunite the family. Joseph attended high school in Sterling where he was active in sports and became the first member of his family to graduate. He was employed for 36 years with the Sterling Parks and Recreation Department. 

Following retirement, he moved to Rhinelander in 2005, where he could enjoy his many outdoor pursuits in the beauty of the Northwoods.

Joseph was a true sport and adventure enthusiast who competed in numerous triathlons including Iron Man events, marathons, bicycle races both road bike and fat tire, the Badger State Games, and cross-country ski and snowshoe races in winter. He helped organize the snowshoe racing event at Treehaven and was a regular participant.

On the adventure side, Joseph completed a bike tour around Lake Superior, rode his bike from Wisconsin to Maine, completed two distance swims in Lake Superior, and paddled his kayak down the entire Wisconsin River from northern Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien. He produced a book about his Lake Superior bike trip that included many of his own photographs and also authored an article about the experience for a sporting magazine. Joseph had a stone placed at Hodag Park recognizing his kayak travel down the Wisconsin River. He wanted to document his historic adventure and encourage others to seek their own enjoyment in nature. Joseph also enjoyed travel, included a special trip to see Pope Francis in Rome.

He was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church and was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Joseph also enjoyed volunteering in his community through projects like the Lions Christmas Not Alone Dinner and the annual fish fry at St. Josephs.

Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease forced Joseph to retire from his many activities and he moved to Rennes Health and Rehab in 2018 when he required greater daily assistance. Joseph inspired many with his desire for adventure and his appreciation of the beauty of the natural world.

He is survived by his lifelong friend, Patrick Grennan and his wife Karla of Maynard, Iowa, and their family to whom Joseph was always known simply as Uncle Wayne. He is also survived by his cousin Judy Cassens of Sterling, Ill., many friends and fellow competitors he met along the interesting journey of his life.

There will be a visitation for Joseph on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 10 to 11 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 11 a.m., all at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Rhinelander. Father Chris Kemp will be officiating.

Joseph requested that in lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please consider donations in his name to youth sports programs at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School, 105 S. Pelham Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501; YMCA of the Northwoods, 2003 E. Winnebago Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501; or any other youth sports organization in Sterling, Ill.

You may leave your private condolences for the Pettorini family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the family.