Darryl Pettigrew

Mr. Darryl “Paramedic/LPN” Pettigrew, age 64, of Bradenton, FL, gained his wings and transitioned to his Heavenly home on June 13, 2023, at the James A. Haley VA Hospital following a brief illness. Darryl received Christ as his Lord and Savior on August 13, 2006.

On June 19, 1959, Paramedic/LPN Pettigrew, was born in Brooklyn, NY, and loved his “Avenue D”.  Darryl was preceded in death by his parents, the late Mr. Johnnie Lee Jones and his beloved late Mother, Thomasina Pettigrew.

On September 20th, 1996, Darryl married his life partner, his “Sunshine” Bridget High, at Aphrodite Restaurant in Westchester, NY. Together, they shared 27 blissful years of marriage, and were life partners for 33 years. The family always heard them say, “and, we never had a fight.”

Darryl’s Legacy was and still is the love of his life, Bridget, his three children: Mark Brooks of Brooklyn, LaSean Pettigrew of Bowie, MD and Blair Bernard of Yonkers, NY. He was blessed with six grandchildren: Kemari, Kierra, Landon, Isaiah, Kyle Michael, and Londyn. Darryl’s siblings were his brothers, Michael (Precious, wife), Tommy, Vernon and Steven and he enjoyed his two sisters, Tracy and Falice. Darryl shared special relationships with Cousin Lorraine and Lavern, A.K.A. “Cousin Chinkey”. He leaves behind three In-laws: Doreen Dozier (Greg, husband), Windric High (Andrea, Life-partner), Malinda White (Stuart, husband) and his beloved “Sweet Potato pie maker”, Gail Kelly. Darryl touched the lives of a host of first and second cousins and a multitude of family members, who have gone on to glory waiting for him to come home and special friends.

Darryl had an illustrious work history. At 17 years of age, Darryl joined the United States Army with the blessings from his “Mama”. He entered active duty on October 12, 1976, as a Medical Specialist and served during peacetime. Darryl’s last period of overseas service was in Hawaii from August 9, 1978, to November 17, 1978. Darryl had a passion for Emergency Medicine, helping people and saving lives.

Paramedic/LPN Pettigrew’s Honorable Mentions:

• Honorably discharged from the United Stated Army on September 16, 1982
• Program Coordinator at Open Arms in White Plains, NY
• Served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at Abby Richmond in WP, NY
• Darryl followed his lifelong dream and became a New York FDNY EMT, in Bronx, NY
• Darryl, while working full-time as a Paramedic became a License Practice Nurse. 
• During his orientation as Paramedic, Darryl volunteered to be a 1st responder at “Ground Zero”, the World Trade Center… A day the World will never forget.
• Darryl retired from FDNY Emergency Medical Service in 2004.

Darryl’s greatest gifts in his life were the loves of his life, Bridget, his children, grandchildren, family, and his love of traveling the world.

The Family’s Words of Appreciation:

We want to humbly acknowledge your calls, cards, text messages, emails and other comforting expressions of kindness during our time of bereavement as we celebrate Darryl’s life and his home going. We are deeply appreciative and will always remember your acts and thoughts of kindness.  

The Pettigrew Family, “Your Wings were ready, but our Hearts were not ready.” 

Professional Services By:

Veterans Funeral Care, 830 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL 33765   Ph: 727-524-9202/ Fax: 727-536-6783 (Florida)

R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes Inc., 22 1st Street, New York, NY 10009,   Ph: 212-673-1110 (New York)

Final Resting place:

Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Blvd, Calverton, NY 11933, Ph: 631-727-5410 (Suffolk County).   

Army Specialist and FDNY Paramedic  Darryl Pettigrew  will be laid to rest at Calverton National Cemetery with military honors furnished by the US Army Funeral Honors Team on Monday June 26th, 2023  at 1400hrs.