To our valued clients and friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my father, John C. “Cooper” Petagna Jr.
Cooper founded American Municipal Securities in 1980 with Mark Donohue, a firm that would later become Amuni Financial, Inc. Although he retired 10 years ago, his vision, integrity, and personal character remain woven into the fabric of our company today.
Cooper believed that reputation mattered, that relationships were built over time, and that trust was earned through doing what’s right. Those principles helped shape the culture of Amuni Financial, Inc. and continue to guide the way we serve our clients, colleagues, and community.
Those who knew Cooper also knew that he brought much more than business judgment to the firm. He brought intelligence, energy, humor, loyalty, and a genuine love of life. Someone who had met Cooper by chance shared a memory that captured this well. They had met unexpectedly on the street, struck up a conversation, and hit it off. From there, they continued to have lunch together from time to time. That was Cooper. He had a gift for making a stranger feel like an old friend within minutes, turning an ordinary encounter into a lasting connection, and making people feel valued, encouraged, and part of something larger than themselves.
For more than four decades, Cooper’s name and example have been closely tied to the trust placed in this firm. While we mourn his loss, we are grateful for the foundation he built, the standards he set, and the lasting influence he leaves behind. As we reflect on his life and legacy, our commitment to serving our clients with the same care, integrity, and long-term perspective remains unchanged.
On behalf of Amuni, thank you for your friendship, your confidence, and your continued support as we honor Cooper’s life, remember his example, and carry forward the values that defined his legacy. We are grateful you are part of the community he helped build.
For me, personally, my dad’s impact is impossible to measure. He was my father, my best man at my wedding, and a daily example of how to treat people while living a life with purpose.
Sincerely,
President & CEO
Amuni Financial, Inc.
