George Petit

George Allen Petit (11/30/1966-12/29/2022) George Allen Petit of St. Petersburg, Florida was born November 30, 1966, to Judy and Justin Petit at Rockford Memorial Hospital, and spent his childhood in Rockford and Loves Park. He died December 29, 2022, of medical complications while visiting his family for the Christmas holidays. During high school George moved to Evanston, Illinois to live with the Shirley’s, his extra family. Before joining the Army in 1986, he worked as a dog walker and pet sitter in Chicago with his best friend Nancy Hines Wicklund. Following his Army service, George became a nurse and nurse educator, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Aurora University in 1995, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science, Advanced Nursing from The University of Auckland in 2012. He practiced clinical nursing in San Francisco, California and Auckland, New Zealand for 17 years before transitioning to nurse education in 2013, teaching clinicians throughout New Zealand. A dual citizen of New Zealand and the United States, George moved back the U.S. in 2019. During his three years in Florida, George became a mobile notary and wedding officiant, and was an active volunteer at Metro Inclusive Health clinic. He loved to travel, cook, laugh with family and friends, and learn. In recent years, George visited India, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and many U.S. cities. He was midway through a Master’s degree in Data Science at Eastern University when he died. He was passionate about social justice, health equity, and unconditional love for his family and friends. George is survived by his mother Judy Petit, siblings Art Petit and Darla Lathrop, an international network of close friends, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father, Justin Petit, and his niece, Sara Stickles. In lieu of flowers, donations to Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg, Florida ( https://www.metrotampabay.org/support/ ) are invited.  A celebration of George’s life will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, January 14 at Northeast Christian Church, 5651 E Riverside Blvd, Rockford, Illinois. Visitation will begin at 9 am, and a light repast will follow the service. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 712 Windsor Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com