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June 26, 2010
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne on Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm.
Funeral services will begin Wednesday, June 30 at 9 am at the funeral home, followed with a 10 am mass at Saint Mary’s church in Pompton Lakes.
James D. Petrecca, 71, died peacefully at his home in Wayne on Saturday, June 26, 2010. His wife and children were at his bedside.
Jim fought cancer with dignity and great courage, earning him the nickname "Superman." His major concerns were not for himself, but rather for his family.
He was born in Paterson and spent his formative years in Fair Lawn. He graduated Fair Lawn High School with the class of 1957 and later received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from William Paterson University.
Jim joined the Army in 1959 and served as a member of the military police. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1961, he joined the New Jersey State Police and proudly worked there until his retirement in 1994 with the rank of Captain. He then worked for the CEO of Seton Company in Roseland.
Jim was gifted with a charismatic personality and wonderful sense of humor. He was known for his generosity, integrity and good nature.
He enjoyed socializing with friends, having a good pizza and driving his red Corvette. But perhaps his greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Among other things, "Poppy" loved playing cards with his grandkids, taking them for ice cream and treating them to M&M's.
Jim and wife Cathy had great fun together during their 43 years of marriage. After residing in Pompton Lakes for ten years, they moved to Wayne, where they continued to enjoy hosting dinner parties and family get-togethers. They graciously opened their Pocono vacation home to family and friends, toured the U.S. and Europe and cruised the Caribbean.
Throughout his life, Jim selflessly gave to others. Among his many good deeds was his 11 years of volunteerism at the food pantry for Saint Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where he was also a parishioner.
Left to carry on the legacy of this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son and brother are his wife Catherine (nee Slater) Petrecca; son James J. Petrecca and his wife Elizabeth of Wayne, daughter Laura Petrecca of New York City, daughter Lisa O’Loughlin and her husband Keith of Wayne, as well as grandchildren Meghan, Paige and Brady O'Loughlin and James R. Petrecca. Those close to Jim's heart also include his loving mother Helen Petrecca of Fair Lawn, brother Alfred Petrecca and his wife Anna May of Beachwood and his sister Patricia Woods and her husband Tom of Butler. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Jim's father Amerigo "Al" Petrecca predeceased him in November 1996 and his brother Daniel Petrecca died in July 2009.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Jim’s memory are asked to consider donations to the Pompton Falls Volunteer Fire Department / Wayne Volunteer Fire Company No. 3, 130 Jackson Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-2729
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne on Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm.
Funeral services will begin Wednesday, June 30 at 9 am at the funeral home, followed with a 10 am mass at Saint Mary’s church in Pompton Lakes.
June 26, 2010
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne on Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm.
Funeral services will begin Wednesday, June 30 at 9 am at the funeral home, followed with a 10 am mass at Saint Mary’s church in Pompton Lakes.
James D. Petrecca, 71, died peacefully at his home in Wayne on Saturday, June 26, 2010. His wife and children were at his bedside.
Jim fought cancer with dignity and great courage, earning him the nickname "Superman." His major concerns were not for himself, but rather for his family.
He was born in Paterson and spent his formative years in Fair Lawn. He graduated Fair Lawn High School with the class of 1957 and later received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from William Paterson University.
Jim joined the Army in 1959 and served as a member of the military police. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1961, he joined the New Jersey State Police and proudly worked there until his retirement in 1994 with the rank of Captain. He then worked for the CEO of Seton Company in Roseland.
Jim was gifted with a charismatic personality and wonderful sense of humor. He was known for his generosity, integrity and good nature.
He enjoyed socializing with friends, having a good pizza and driving his red Corvette. But perhaps his greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Among other things, "Poppy" loved playing cards with his grandkids, taking them for ice cream and treating them to M&M's.
Jim and wife Cathy had great fun together during their 43 years of marriage. After residing in Pompton Lakes for ten years, they moved to Wayne, where they continued to enjoy hosting dinner parties and family get-togethers. They graciously opened their Pocono vacation home to family and friends, toured the U.S. and Europe and cruised the Caribbean.
Throughout his life, Jim selflessly gave to others. Among his many good deeds was his 11 years of volunteerism at the food pantry for Saint Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where he was also a parishioner.
Left to carry on the legacy of this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son and brother are his wife Catherine (nee Slater) Petrecca; son James J. Petrecca and his wife Elizabeth of Wayne, daughter Laura Petrecca of New York City, daughter Lisa O’Loughlin and her husband Keith of Wayne, as well as grandchildren Meghan, Paige and Brady O'Loughlin and James R. Petrecca. Those close to Jim's heart also include his loving mother Helen Petrecca of Fair Lawn, brother Alfred Petrecca and his wife Anna May of Beachwood and his sister Patricia Woods and her husband Tom of Butler. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Jim's father Amerigo "Al" Petrecca predeceased him in November 1996 and his brother Daniel Petrecca died in July 2009.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Jim’s memory are asked to consider donations to the Pompton Falls Volunteer Fire Department / Wayne Volunteer Fire Company No. 3, 130 Jackson Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-2729
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