T. Christopher Pettit will never be forgotten as one of Huntington High School’s most exceptional scholars, leaders and athletes. A member of the Class of 1963, he captained three varsity Blue Devil teams and went on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was a two-time All-American lacrosse player and the team’s captain and leading scorer.
Born in Huntington Hospital on February 18, 1945, Mr. Pettit enjoyed a remarkable career at Huntington High School, serving as captain of the football, basketball and lacrosse teams and being elected G.O. president by the student body. He addressed classmates as the “honor speaker” at the 102nd annual commencement on June 25, 1963 at 8:15 p.m. in the school auditorium.
“Things do not happen in this world; they are brought about by people who are concerned and who become involved,” Mr. Pettit said during his commencement address. “I know that we can have the courage to affirm life by our involvement in living.”
Accepted into Harvard, Mr. Pettit chose West Point instead and following his graduation from that hallowed institution, became a battery commander on a missile base in what was then West Germany. He also served in combat as an Army Ranger in the Vietnam War, earning two Bronze Stars and moving up the ranks to captain.
Following his military career, the Huntington alum taught math for two years and coached football and then went intp business for four years before joining Lehman Brothers in 1977. He quickly climbed through the commercial paper and bond divisions. Mr. Pettit was named a partner in 1982 and eventually became the legendary Wall Street firm’s president and chief operating officer. He left the company on November 26, 1996.
Mr. Pettit was killed while snowmobiling at night on a frozen lake near his vacation home in Windham, Maine on February 15, 1997. He reportedly hit a stump and his helmet dislodged as he was thrown from the fast moving vehicle. He sustained a massive head injury and passed away while being rushed to a nearby hospital. The Huntington grad was 51 years old. He is interred in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
In the weeks and months that followed the tragedy, Mr. Pettit’s family created a scholarship that currently provides $20,000 annually to Huntington High School graduates .
Mr. Pettit’s daughter, Lara Pettit Breingan was once again on hand for this year’s scholarship ceremony, which was held in the Huntington High School auditorium. Her voice was filled with emotion and broke several times as she spoke about her dad. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she somehow managed to get through the presentation. She spoke about how much her father loved his family and the Huntington community, especially his alma mater.
This year’s T. Christopher Pettit Scholarships include Robert Smith, who captured an award worth $10,000, payable in annual installments of $2,500 in each of the next four years. One time grants were presented to Regan Sansiviero ($4,000), Kianna Criscuola ($2,000), Christopher Maichin ($2,000) and Jack O’Brien ($2,500). Three previous recipients of the top award continue to draw $2,500 annual scholarships as they work to complete their undergraduate requirements.
A three-sport star and varsity captain, Mr. Smith plans to study finance at Stony Brook University, where he was recruited to play on the NCAA Division I lacrosse team. He earned All-County honors in football, wrestling and lacrosse while wearing a Blue Devil uniform.
Ms. Sansiviero will attend Bucknell University, where she was recruited to play on the college’s NCAA Division I lacrosse team. She starred on Huntington’s tennis, basketball and lacrosse teams. She said the key to her success has been learning to balance school work with extracurricular activities and social life.
Ms. Criscuola intends to pursue a degree in either environmental science or ecology at Colgate University. A key player on the Blue Devil varsity girls’ volleyball team, she was co-president of the Natural Helpers club and vice president of the Science Honor Society. She attributes her academic and co-curricular success to being curious and asking questions.
Mr. Maichin excelled on the Huntington boys’ lacrosse team, helping carry the Blue Devils into the Suffolk Final Four. He also played an integral role in the high school’s mock trial team county championship and state runner-up season. He has been recruited to play lacrosse at Colby College in Maine, where is intends to study government. President of the Social Studies Honor Society, he was co-president of the mock trial team and National History Day club.
Known for his outstanding work ethic, Mr. O’Brien has been recruited to play lacrosse at York College of Pennsylvania, where he plans to major in marketing. He played on the Blue Devil football and lacrosse teams and appeared in the Suffolk All-Star football game. The teenager participated in the highly regarded Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership Program. He is well-known for his filmmaking skills.
In addition to being a leading figure in the world of international finance, Mr. Pettit found time to coach youth lacrosse, soccer and basketball. He was one of the founders of the Cold Spring Harbor-Huntington Youth Lacrosse Club. The former Blue Devil star and Army great was inducted into the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1994.
Mr. Pettit was also a key contributor to cancer research. He was among those who helped organize the Dorothy Rodbell Cohen Foundation for Sarcoma Research, which has provided millions of dollars in grants over the years.
Huntington seniors prize the Pettit scholarship, which honors a man who will always be remembered for excellence at the high school.