by SARASOTA, Fla. — Robert ‘Bob’ Petril Sr., a long-time industry manufacturers’ sales representative died here on March 30. He was 85.
According to his obituary, he was born in West Philadelphia and had his first sales experience selling greeting cards door-to-door at age nine.
He started in the furniture industry in the 1960s as a sales representative for Broyhill. He also represented Thomasville Furniture for more than 16 years in the greater Philadelphia area before moving on to sell for Bernhardt Furniture for the next 18 years.
Later in his career, he was a sales representative for luxury furniture brands Henredon and Hickory White.
Over the many years serving the industry he loved, he received a number of awards including Distinguished Salesman of the Year, Representative of the Year and two Presidential Awards. He was also inducted into the Tri-State Home Furnishings Hall of Fame in 2007.
After retirement, he continued to attend the High Point Markets, assisting his friend, Raymond Zoref, of Burton James furniture.
He is survived by his wife Alicia, three children and three grandchildren.
The family requests that donations in his memory be made to Tidewell Hospice Foundation of Sarasota, Florida.
