Joe Petrone Edmonton Obituary, Death – Soccer in Edmonton has long faced the challenge of carving out its place in a city dominated by hockey and football. Yet, thanks to the relentless efforts of Joe Petrone, a beloved figure who recently passed away at 78, the sport’s roots have grown deeper and stronger over the past half-century.
Petrone arrived in Edmonton at age 12, a young boy from Italy with a passion for soccer. That passion carried him onto the international stage as a player representing Canada at the 1967 Pan Am Games. But where he truly made his mark was behind the scenes, shaping the future of the sport locally.
He wore many hats: assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University, where he worked with players who went on to influence Edmonton’s soccer culture; head coach of the Edmonton Drillers during the NASL era; and director of soccer operations for both the Edmonton Brickmen and FC Edmonton. Each role allowed Petrone to build, nurture, and sustain soccer programs that were foundational to Edmonton’s soccer community.
FC Edmonton’s rebirth in the second North American Soccer League was one of Petrone’s crowning achievements. His belief that professional soccer could flourish in Edmonton was unwavering. “Joe was the driving force behind professional soccer in this city. He always believed it would work here,” said Jeff Paulus, reflecting the deep respect Petrone earned.
Petrone’s passing leaves a void, but his legacy remains etched in Edmonton’s soccer history. He was more than an executive or coach—he was a mentor, a visionary, and the embodiment of a city’s soccer dreams. The sport in Edmonton owes him a debt of gratitude for turning those dreams into reality.