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It is with the deepest sorrow that the family of Christian John Taylor Petillo announce his passing at just 15 years of age. Christian was born on March 28, 2006 in Scottsdale, AZ, and he entered into the loving arms of our Lord on Sunday, September 5, 2021. The tragic victim of others’ senseless actions, Christian is survived by his parents Bruce and Claire Petillo, sister Alexandria, brother Bruce, niece Kalea, paternal grandmother Karen Petillo, maternal grandparents John and Su Housden, uncles Brett Petillo, Robert Housden, and Geoff Arrobio, aunts Rebecca Arrobio, Nicole Petillo and Brooke LeVasseur, cousins Coral Petillo, Brett Petillo, Sienna Arrobio, Alexander Arrobio, Ian Housden, Hannah Housden, and godparents Scott and Dori Beckwith, as well as countless other loving and grieving family members. Christian is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Bruce N. Petillo.
Christian was a bright and shining light in the lives of those who knew him. He possessed a highly sensitive soul, capable of deep feeling and understanding. He had an infectious smile and laugh that would light up a room, and he possessed an energy that embraced and lived life to its fullest. An exceptional athlete, Christian quickly picked up all sports he tried, including baseball, golf, ice hockey, swimming, scooters and soccer, just to name a few. He also loved cheering on his favorite sports teams, especially his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers and Cody Bellinger.
Christian enjoyed working with younger children. He would spend hours at Seville Golf and Country Club playing golf with some of them, helping to improve their games and acting as a pseudo-big brother. As the youngest of his siblings, he loved spending time with his niece Kalea, who in many ways was more like a little sister to him.
Friends were an important part of Christian’s life. Whether in-person or virtually, his cup was full when he was able to engage and interact with those for whom he cared. Be it playing video games, sending Snaps, laughing at TikToks, or hanging in person, Christian’s friends were some of the connections that helped him learn about himself and the world in which he lived. We are forever grateful to the friends who helped him shine.
No words can possibly express the pain and emptiness we are feeling today. In time, we know this the shock and pain will fade, but there will always be an emptiness that can never be replaced, for what we have lost as a family and community is far too great. The world is a bit poorer today without Christian, Heaven is a bit brighter with his presence, and we are all a bit richer for having been blessed to have known him. Godspeed, my son.
Services for Christian are as follow, and ALL ARE WELCOME:
- Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2021
- Rosary: 10:30 am at Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Gilbert, AZ.
- Funeral Mass: 11:00 am at Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Gilbert, AZ
- Celebration of Life: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Seville Golf and Country Club in Gilbert, AZ
- Please join us in celebrating Christian’s life and love by arriving in a sports jersey, sports shirt, or golf attire.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Christian’s name to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation at https://phoenixchildrensfoundation.org/.
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We love you. May Jehovah God bring you peace and comfort during this time.
This has been quite a week grieving about Christian and the extensive pain this news radiates through the circles of family and friends. My sorrow for the family is deeply felt.
I met Christian about 10 years ago when we moved into the house next door to him!
That little guy played harder than anyone that age I have ever witnessed!
May this truly wonderful family heal and grow through memories, friends helping, and family sharing all of Christians stories. His beautiful smile lit up the sky…. I will see this forever.
In love and honor.
I am here for you. Love, Linda.
My heart aches for you all. I remember watching Christian play baseball during my visit to AZ for Nathan’s tournament. So glad to have met your sweet boy. He clearly shared the same passion for sports that our son has and was a natural athlete and obviously a kind soul raised by wonderful parents. Sending you all so much love from NorCal.
Bruce, Claire, & Family,
I am very sorry you’re going through this. My thoughts, prayers, & condolences are with you all. If there is anything Incan do for you all, please let me know. God bless you all during this tough time & may he keep you in his arms.
The Lord called Christian to be with Him because He needed a kind soul to brighten His days.
May the Lord rest him in external peace.
I don’t even know what to say. I will pray for your family.
Vaya con Dios’ Lil Man.
For your Family.
“So also you have sorrow now, but YOU will see Your Child again, your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” – John 16:22
Our family is very fortunate to have known Christian since a very young age. Many summer hours spent swimming at the Arellano’s. He was a fish!!! God bless.
My family and I are holding you in our thoughts and prayers in this most difficult time.
Patricia
We are here for you during this difficult time. We are so terribly sorry for your tragic loss. Praying for your family always.
We are incredibly sad to learn about Christian’s passing. We grieve for your whole family and wish we would have known Christian. He sounds like an amazing young man. Love and prayers, Patrick & Cindy Shaffer
We pray God’s deep peace hugs and sustains you and your family. Christian is no doubt telling the angels of his wondrous family and the love he has for them.
Much love, brother.
Sending our deepest condolences to all of the family!!! The loss of a Child is unfathomable. Wishing you some healing and great memories. Let us know if we can help in any way. We know 2 people that lost a child that have experience with the process. God bless you all.
My dear Claire and Bruce, my heart is heavy with sorrow for you and your family in this time of great loss. May the Lord wrap his arms around you, comfort you and give you peace. Forever in my prayers.
Claire and family- I am so very sorry. I have been thinking of you since I heard and my heart is breaking for you and your beautiful family. Much love to all of you. ❤️
Dear Bruce, Clare and family,
It is with my deepest sorrow to offer you condolences on the passing of your son Christian. We are all praying for the Lord to provide you with the strength you will need through your time of mourning. I never got to meet Christian but I am sure he was a wonderful child with the potential of growing up to become the same man that of his father and paternal grandfather. Heaven just received another angel in Christian whose love and protection for his family will always be reigning down upon them. I am sure the Lord that welcomed into heaven with open arms and right behind the Lord was his grandfather embracing him with a bigbig smile from The two of them are now walking hand and hand catching up on knowing one another.
So sorry for your families loss of such a fine young man. You don’t know me, but his smile drew me to give condolences. I’m also a member of St Mary MagdaleneCatholic Church and my prayers are with you.
I struggle to find words to express the deep sorrow I feel for the loss of Christian, such a young and beautiful soul, with all the excitement of life ahead of him. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I send huge Heal/Wood family hugs full of love from the UK to you and all your family. We love you all and will miss Christian so very much. May God be with you and surround you with his love in the dark days ahead xxx
My Daughter knew Christian briefly just prior to his passing, she had nothing but good things to say. He was funny and kind. We are grieving with you and we are so extremely sorry for your loss. My heart can’t even comprehend the grief you must be feeling.
We are all grieving for this wonderful family knowing that no words can change what has happened! Maybe just to know that we care so much, feel your pain and all that comes with such a grave and tragic loss! Sending our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy at this time. We’re just saddened deeply!
I’m so sorry for your loss mr and mrs Petillo. Christian and my brother loved hanging out and I could see how close they were. He was still a very sweet kid and may your family find peace throughout. Sending my sorrows and hope you guys get better.
Sending love, light and prayers to you all.
Our deepest condolences are with you and your family.
Christian was a loyal friend that i have known since elementary school and when i heard the news i thought i was dreaming but i wasn’t and i was crying for a long time knowing that my friend that i have known and hung out with for a long time is gone and he forever will be in my heart. Love you guys. Christian i hope your looking down at us and making sure that we are doing well miss you a lot brother.