For decades, Joe Petrone’s name was inseparable from the game of soccer in Edmonton. Whether on the sidelines of high school fields or in the boardroom of professional clubs, Petrone’s influence was deep, enduring, and transformative. On Thursday, Edmonton lost one of its most passionate sports advocates as Petrone passed away at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Italy, Petrone arrived in Edmonton at age 12, bringing with him a passion for soccer that would ultimately help shape the sport’s landscape in Alberta and across Canada.
A gifted athlete, he rose through the ranks to represent Canada at the 1967 Pan American Games, an early highlight in a life marked by achievement and service to the game he loved.
Petrone’s impact extended far beyond his playing days. He devoted his life to nurturing talent, building programs, and advocating for soccer’s rightful place in a sporting culture often dominated by hockey, football, baseball, and basketball.
His coaching journey included a notable stint as an assistant at Eastern Illinois University, where he helped mentor players like Carmelo Rago, the future founder of Sorrentino’s restaurant chain and a longtime friend.
He returned to Edmonton to guide the Edmonton Drillers of the North American Soccer League, later taking on the role of Director of Soccer Operations for both the Edmonton Brickmen of the Canadian Soccer League and FC Edmonton when it launched in the second incarnation of the NASL. His fingerprints are on every era of Edmonton’s professional soccer story.
“Joe was the driving force behind professional soccer in this city,” said Jeff Paulus, former head coach of FC Edmonton. “So many young players got their chances because of him. So many coaches got their start because of him. And that includes me. Joe gave me a chance.”
Petrone’s life was not only defined by his achievements but by his unwavering belief in others. He championed local players, tirelessly leveraging his network to help them secure tryouts with European clubs—even just months before his death.
Antonio Rago, who played for FC Edmonton from 2011 to 2013, remembered Petrone as more than a mentor. “Joe had four daughters and a son. But my brothers and I were like four sons to him, too. I know that when I made my professional debut, it was a proud moment for him.”
An athlete of many talents, Petrone also made waves in another kind of football. In 1971, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a placekicker—a testament to his athleticism and determination. The story goes that legendary coach Tom Landry flew to Edmonton personally to finalize the deal. Though Petrone didn’t stay in the NFL—disliking the outsider treatment he received—he returned home, used his signing bonus to buy a house, and reimmersed himself in the world of soccer.
“Even when he was sick, Joe was still working the phones,” said Carmelo Rago. “That was Joe—always trying to help, always using his connections.”
Former FC Edmonton owner Tom Fath reflected on Petrone’s impact: “He was just so knowledgeable about the sport, and about people. And the thing is, he cared a lot. That meant a lot to me.”
Joe Petrone’s legacy lives on in the countless players he mentored, the clubs he helped shape, and the sport he spent his life elevating in Edmonton. His passion, persistence, and heart have left an indelible mark that will be felt for generations.
