Ocean Springs couple celebrates 70th wedding anniversary
WXXV had the opportunity to celebrate a local couple’s 70th wedding anniversary.
Tony and Jean Ann Petricca have been inseparable for more than 70 years. Meeting for the first time at Tony’s mother funeral, little did Tony know the death of one of the dearest woman he loved would bring him closer to one he’d spend a lifetime with. “I had tickets for Knights of Columbus Party and cost me $25. In the dream I was going with and she said I can’t go. Call the girl I was going with back and look at, you said you to school with that girl that they told me I met at my mother’s funeral. Sure, he got her phone number. Well, I haven’t been out with anybody else since October of 1951.”
The Petricca’s, both Catholic with Italian roots, would grow up in Chicago, where Tony worked at the family’s restaurant before deciding to enlist into the Marines during the Korean War. “I got out of boot camp July 11th and her and her mom came out. I said it looks like I’m going to get stationed in San Diego. I said let’s get married. We were engaged and I got out July 11th. We got married August 22nd.”
The rest was history. The two moved to San Diego then back to Chicago to raise their four kids and then returned to San Diego again.
In California, the Petricca’s grew their family restaurant and allowed Tony to hone in on his love for cooking delicious food and the two’s love for the Padres and the former San Diego Chargers. In the midst of this though, the two are most thankful for family. “My four children, our 13 grandchildren, and our 12 and three quarters, great grandchildren.” “We have been so lucky in our life and we really are paying for it now with walkers.” “So, it’s a crazy thing. I guess the good Lord said you had a real good. I’m going to give you a little taste of joy.”
The husband and wife say it wasn’t easy to make 70 years together but the blueprint was always love. “You have to have two things in your life. You have to have forgiveness and love. Enjoy each other’s company. Have friends, we have friends all over the country. Like they say don’t ever go to bed mad, upset with each other. That’s the best sentence.”
