General's father moved to California to be near daughter.

Sixtus Petraeus, the father of General David H. Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Force in Iraq , died Thursday at an assisted living facility in Santa Clarita.

The elder Petraeus’ passing was confirmed by General Petraeus’ Public Affairs Officer, Col. Steven Boylan.

The Dutch immigrant sailed into New York just as World War II began and commanded a Liberty ship through Russian waters. He gave up sea duty to settle in Cornwall on Hudson, New York , working for a power company.

Cornwall area newspaper accounts said that after his retirement, Petraeus rode a bike around town and sailed well into his 80s. He moved to California in 2004 to be near his daughter.

The four-star General assumed responsibility for the Multi-National Force in February 2007.