Thomas Petrie

With deep sorrow, the family of Tom Petrie announces his passing on March 29, 2025 after a short illness. He was 75 years old. 
Born in April of 1949, Tom was the youngest of William and Margot Petrie’s three sons. Tom and his brothers grew up in Oshkosh and Whitefish Bay, where they were introduced to the sports of boating, hunting, and fishing, that Tom spent a lifetime enjoying.A quintessential entrepreneur and successful business owner, Tom did not follow a conventional route in business or in life. When he discovered he couldn’t work for anyone else, he founded Wisconsin Sportsman magazine. What started as a humble one-man shop in the mid-1970s grew to include five other state-level publications and eventually a publishing arm. Willow Creek Press published the magazines and eventually added the books, calendars, cards, games, and other printed products that it continues to produce today.Through his award-winning magazines and books, Tom brought outdoor sports and tales of hunting and fishing to thousands of enthusiasts in the Midwest and beyond.Tom was proud to work alongside his sons Ryan and Jeremy. He handed the reins to Jeremy, who took his place at the helm of Willow Creek until Jeremy’s sudden death in 2022. Ryan now leads the company that is still headquartered in Minocqua.Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patti Petrie; his son Eric Petrie of Gardnerville, Nevada; his son Ryan Petrie and Ryan’s wife Sandy of Minocqua, Wisconsin; his daughter-in-law Tracy Petrie of Minocqua,; his grandchildren Kieran, Halle, and Parker Petrie of Minocqua, his brother Bill Petrie of Cedarburg, and Bill’s wife Jerre; and his sister-in-law Mary; along with many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Jeremy Petrie, his brother Charles Petrie, and his daughter-in-law Virginia Petrie.
A private memorial service is planned for later this spring.