Hundreds gather to remember Rep. Peter Pettalia

PRESQUE ISLE Mi (WPBN/WGTU) -- Hundreds of family, friends and colleagues gathered Friday at the Old Presque Isle Light House to celebrate the life of Rep. Peter Pettalia.

People who knew Pettalia shared stories and memories.

Pettalia passed away earlier this week in a motorcycle accident.

"Peter was a wonderful statesman and gentleman, I mean he represented this area so well," Governor Rick Snyder said. "He was the spirit of this area and he did a wonderful job in Lansing, but as a person he was a wonderful friend to so many people. So it's a loss for so many of us in so many ways."

State Senator Arlan Meekhof was a roommate of Pettalia and a close friend.

"He lived a big life," Meekhof said. "I mean full life between being in northern Michigan all the sporting activities, he lived his family, he loved life, he loved his community."

The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse meant a lot to Pettalia, since he helped to restore it during his time in office.

Pettaalia had been serving in the State House since 2010 and is survived by his wife and two adult children.