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November 25, 2023
Ion Petrescu, age 91 of Kinnelon, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2023, exactly sixteen years to the very day that his beloved wife Stefana left this world. Now they are reunited.
Ion was born and raised in Curtea de Arges, Romania.
After high school Ion pursued his dream of serving in the Romanian Army. He attended the Romanian Military Academy with the goal of qualifying to serve in the tank division. Technically, at six feet two inches tall, Ion was too big to fit properly, according to Army standards, in a tank, but he insisted that this was how he wanted to serve. The Army ultimately accommodated his wishes and Ion went on to attain the rank of Colonel and serve a thirty-plus year career as a tank commander and, for the last five years before retirement in 1986, as a professor in the Technical Military Academy of Bucharest teaching young soldiers tank combat maneuvers in even smaller tanks.
Ion met the love of his life, his beautiful wife Stefana, in his hometown of Curtea de Arges. They married on March 8, 1956 in the Curtea de Arges Monastery (Mănăstirea Curtea de Argeș). They were blessed with a storybook marriage including the blessing of their daughter Delia.
After Delia moved to the United States in 1986, Ion and Stefana began wintering with her and her husband Liviu in 1992. In 2007, they permanently relocated to the USA.
The greatest benefit of coming to America was the precious time that Ion was able to spend time with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He loved playing with his grandchildren and they always enjoyed hearing his interesting stories. But alas, kids eventually grow up and move out. When that time came, he turned his attention to the care of the family pooches, Fabio and Chance. He even tried to teach those dogs military time so that they knew exactly when to eat – 1800 hours. In between, Ion worked on writing his memoirs. He never finished but he left his family with lots of clearly written notes to share the tales of his rich life.
Ion was a quiet, soft-spoken man who lived life by the book and on a military schedule. His family was his greatest love and finest treasure.
Ion is survived by his loving daughter Dr. Delia Rappaport and husband Liviu, his two grandchildren: Sarah Rappaport and Jacob Rappaport and wife Kristen; his precious two-month old great-grandson Austin; and his sister Milita in Romania. He was predeceased by his older sister.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Ion’s name are asked to consider:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
P.O. Box 22324
New York, NY 10087
To donate by phone: 888-557-7177
Please indicate that your gift is in loving memory of Ion Petrescu
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
November 25, 2023
Ion Petrescu, age 91 of Kinnelon, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2023, exactly sixteen years to the very day that his beloved wife Stefana left this world. Now they are reunited.
Ion was born and raised in Curtea de Arges, Romania.
After high school Ion pursued his dream of serving in the Romanian Army. He attended the Romanian Military Academy with the goal of qualifying to serve in the tank division. Technically, at six feet two inches tall, Ion was too big to fit properly, according to Army standards, in a tank, but he insisted that this was how he wanted to serve. The Army ultimately accommodated his wishes and Ion went on to attain the rank of Colonel and serve a thirty-plus year career as a tank commander and, for the last five years before retirement in 1986, as a professor in the Technical Military Academy of Bucharest teaching young soldiers tank combat maneuvers in even smaller tanks.
Ion met the love of his life, his beautiful wife Stefana, in his hometown of Curtea de Arges. They married on March 8, 1956 in the Curtea de Arges Monastery (Mănăstirea Curtea de Argeș). They were blessed with a storybook marriage including the blessing of their daughter Delia.
After Delia moved to the United States in 1986, Ion and Stefana began wintering with her and her husband Liviu in 1992. In 2007, they permanently relocated to the USA.
The greatest benefit of coming to America was the precious time that Ion was able to spend time with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He loved playing with his grandchildren and they always enjoyed hearing his interesting stories. But alas, kids eventually grow up and move out. When that time came, he turned his attention to the care of the family pooches, Fabio and Chance. He even tried to teach those dogs military time so that they knew exactly when to eat – 1800 hours. In between, Ion worked on writing his memoirs. He never finished but he left his family with lots of clearly written notes to share the tales of his rich life.
Ion was a quiet, soft-spoken man who lived life by the book and on a military schedule. His family was his greatest love and finest treasure.
Ion is survived by his loving daughter Dr. Delia Rappaport and husband Liviu, his two grandchildren: Sarah Rappaport and Jacob Rappaport and wife Kristen; his precious two-month old great-grandson Austin; and his sister Milita in Romania. He was predeceased by his older sister.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Ion’s name are asked to consider:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
P.O. Box 22324
New York, NY 10087
To donate by phone: 888-557-7177
Please indicate that your gift is in loving memory of Ion Petrescu
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