It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of David Petty, of Hollywood, SC one of the kindest, most thoughtful, and considerate men we’ve ever known. David was born on May 6, 1942 in Leicester, England, and departed this worldly life on February 6, 2026. Through his journey of 83 years he touched many lives not only with his kindness, but with his humor and zest for life. He was a people person, a connector, he loved making others happy by introducing them to like individuals, which contrasts dramatically with the solitary life he chose, going to sea for a living.

As a young boy, when he went on his very first trip to grandmother’s house in Cornwall, and saw the sea and the ferryboats, he KNEW he wanted to spend his life at sea. As a boy, he enrolled in sea school as a boarder, and when he graduated he began working for the Royal Mail Shipping Lines as a fourth officer. By age 22, he was a third officer, and within a couple of years became a second officer and then achieved his Master Ticket while still in his twenties. Ultimately, David spent the majority of his working life in command of very large container vessels sailing the seven seas. He saw a lot of this world, but if you asked him that question, he would retort that he saw a lot of sea, and in fact could tell you where he was in the world by the color of the water.

David is survived by his adoring wife of 31 years, Nikki Lang, his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, Tara, Marco, Enrico and Sofia Soliani, his step-daughter, step son-in-law, and step grandson, Corinne, Stephen, and Gabriel DeLuca, and his stepson, Stefan Saxanoff.

Fittingly, his family is spread across the globe, so a memorial service is being planned tentatively for the first week in March at Christ St. Paul’s 4981 Chapel Road (a firm date to be announced when established), to give some family and friends a chance to be there.

Final arrangements are being managed by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel for private cremation and the spreading of his ashes appropriately upon the ocean’s water where he surely belongs.

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