Plant a tree in memory of Joseph
An environmentally friendly option
Loading...
J
John DeGrinney posted a condolence
Uncle Joe was a man of firm principles and values. He loved his family, immediate and extended, and always had time for any of us. I will always remember how welcome he made me feel in the Petrella home, and the fun we had at the gun range. He will be missed by his family up here in Maine.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Audrey and Laura and the kids and the rest of the family.
God Bless,
John and Gisele DeGrinney
J
JOSEPH T DEGRINNEY M.D. posted a condolence
I REALLY HAVE NOTHING TO ADD TO WHAT MY SON JOHN HAS ALREADY SAID.
I WILL MISS HIM & FISHING WITH HIM, (EVEN THO HE ALWAYS CAUGHT MOR FISH THAN I DID -EVEN OUT OF MY BOAT)!!
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO AUDRY & ALL OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS
JOE DEGRINNEY
m
maryann Suppa@pthsd.k12.nj.us posted a condolence
Please extend my sincere condolences to the Petrella family. I was a collegue of Joe's at Brooklawn. He was a colorful character who had a heart of gold.
Thanks, Joe for introducing quail to my family's menu, we probably would not have had the experience otherwise. God Bless You and Happy Hunting.
R
Rose Ann Fornarotto posted a condolence
Dear Audrey,Laura & Fred,
On behalf of my mother (Katherine Barbone)and my siblings we would like to extend our condolences. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Rose Ann (Barbone) Fornarotto
L
Lou Miller posted a condolence
Joe Petrella was certainly one of a kind. While he sometimes disguised it very well, he truly had a heart of gold. I worked with him at Brooklawn Middle School for several years in the 1990's, and saw this firsthand...
I remember Joe going down to the lower field on several occasions to spend time with a particular student who practically NOBODY else - peers or teachers - ever did, and taking the time to show him all about fly fishing. From the many stories he told at Brooklawn, Joe was an avid hunter and fly fisherman.
I was on the same 7th grade team as Joe for a number of years and he gave all of us many colorful and memorable moments for sure, but that act of kindness toward this one student - which he NEVER talked or bragged about, and for which I am sure there were others over the years - stayed with me as insight into the true Joe Petrella.
May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
B
Bonnie and Joe Sommer posted a condolence
We want to extend our great sympathy at Joe's passing. He will be missed by many...
My husband Joe and I taught for many years with Joe at Central School. We remember him as an unforgetable character with a heart of gold... I taught comp ed in a small back room behind his classroom, so I have many unforgetable character stories. One time the phys ed class had left the archery equipment behind. Joe, deciding he wanted to try his skill, climbed out the window (leaving his class behind) and proceded to shoot arrows at the target... And would you believe he stepped in as cheerleading coach when no one else could take the job... His heart of gold was evident in the way he inspired his class to bring in the most food for the canned food drive my husband, as Student Council advisor, ran each year for the needy, but even more so in his compassion for Lynn Clarkson, a wheelchair-bound student with severe cerebral palsy. Lynn was an avid Reggie Jackson fan and Joe was able to secure for her an autograph and a tee shirt from the famous player. He took many students under his wing in his fishing club... As I said, many will miss him.
We are leaving for Florida tomorrow and will miss Joe's wake and funeral, but wanted to express our feelings to you.
A
Ann L. Varsano posted a condolence
Joe and I were co-teachers many years ago at Central Middle School. At first, I thought Joe was gruff and strict and as a young teacher,I was afraid of him. Then, in October, when my birthday arrived, I walked into our classroom to find that Joe had gotten cupcakes for everyone and had the kids sing Happy Birthday!! That was the beginning of knowing what a kind-hearted, sweet man he really was.
C
Carol and Steve Mandel posted a condolence
I will always remmber Joe as the caring father and husband who faced adversity with a positive approach.
I remember my husband and Joe taking their girls to the Skid Row and Springsteen concert and how they sat through it for the sake of the children.
Rest in peace my friend. You were one in a million.
Love to Audrey and Laura at this most difficult time.
E
Esther Libenschek posted a condolence
My uncle was many things. He was outspoken and frank yet listened with sincerity. He could be stern at times but only ever out of love and concern. He was not shy to share his opinions, his love of hunting and fishing or his colorful nature that made him the man I came to respect and admire. He was brilliantly frightening to me as a child and frighteningly brilliant to me as an adult. I will miss all that he was and cherish every moment with him that I had.
S
Sue Silverman posted a condolence
I taught with Joe at Central and Brooklawn. He brought laughter to all. He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing to his family and may he rest in peace.
K
Ken DiSessa posted a condolence
I can honestly say, over the past 30 years, my life was forever changed by Joe and it will never be the same without him.
On the last day of our last South Dakota pheasant hunt, as hundreds of pheasants flushed around us, in typical Joe P. fashion, he stood steady, raised the gun 3 times and killed 3 birds.
The pursuit of Fins and feathers, that’s one helluva a life. I think Joe would have agreed.
J
Joy Passalacqua posted a condolence
I first met Joe in the "pit"(teachers lounge) at Central Middle School. I was a young teacher and in Graduate School at the time. The first day when I entered the "pit" with my book, a Gloria Steinem book, "Revolution From Within", Joe grabbed the book and said "what is this nonsense"?
From that day on we would literally have the "Joe and Joy show" down in the pit each lunch period. What a show we would put on! It was like standing room only.
People would rush down there so that they would not miss anything!!
No matter how much we disagreed, Joe was always there for me. He would do anything for you. A true heart of gold. I will truly miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
A
ANDY DI SESSA posted a condolence
WE ARE GOING TO MISS JOE P SO VERY MUCH. ESPECIALLY AT OUR ANNUAL DINNER WITH THE BOYS.(SAL,WALLY MOON. JOHN HEINTJES, JIM SCANNELLI AND DALE TRIMMER HE HAS TAUGHT MY SON KEN SO MUCH THEY HAVE BECOME INSEPERABLE HUNTERS AND I THANK HIM. HE WILL BE IN OUR MEMORIES FOREEVER.
J
Jim Smith posted a condolence
Joe and I met as undergraduate students at Fairleigh Dickinson in the late 1960's. As History majors planning to go into teaching, we shared several classes together. We often got into "discussions," over coffee in the commons or in class, and more often than not we had different perspectives on all the social changes occurring at that time. It was also the first time I heard the phrase "Bambi-ist!"...yeah, addressed to me...we laughed out loud! I went on to teach at Central in 1969 and a year later, Joe started there as a new teacher. I will always remember his sense of humor, his integrity, his passion for his beliefs and how he cared about his students. Although it's been many years since we last saw each other, the memories will last a lifetime. God Bless you Joe, rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers to Joe's family.
E
Ed posted a condolence
I didn't know Joseph, but I noticed he was in W. Berlin the same time period I was stationed there. We might have met. May I ask what unit he was with. God bless him. Rest in peace.
J
June T. Zuckerman (aka June Trespeces) posted a condolence
Audrey and Laura, I feel as though I know you. I taught with Joe at Central for years and years. Joe always spoke about you. I remember when Laura was little and got sick. How happy I am to see that she has a family herself! All our prayers were answered. Joe was so tender to me at the worst time of my life. I would come to school and cry all day. It hurt him so much to see me so bereft. What a guy! What a great story teller! What a human being! Before I met him, I had no idea what trout fishing was about. Years later I had a student who was a competitive fisherman. At least I knew some of the vocabulary.
I will miss our unforgettable Joe. He rode "the boulevard" with style. With sincerest condolences, Junie Pooh
B
Bob Rogaski posted a condolence
Joe was a classmate and good buddy in my years at Bayonne HS. My deepest sympathy to Audrey, Laura and his entire family.
R
Rich(Schmidt)Rusznak posted a condolence
My deepest simpathy to Joe's family...He was a real close friend at Bayonne High . I can still remember when we took to young ladies to the prom...He drove.cause it was his car...I'll always remember our good times with a real GREAT pal.
C
Christina posted a condolence
We had Mr. Petrella as a teacher in 7th grade in 1984. We have fond memories of him and know he truly cared about his students. We are sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Christina Ladas & Katherine Cascioli
M
Maureen McDermott posted a condolence
I had Mr. P for Block in 8th grade 1973. He always had a great story to tell, one of which he and his buddies used to jump off the Bayonne bridge...Ii can't remeber his friends name but he was blonde and had a big head. He also showed the class how he made artificial flies for fly fishing. OH! he told stories of the Jersey Devil down i the Geat swamp! I remeber him singing the song :The Girl From Ippanema" in front of the class! A funny man and a dedicated teacher...God be with you Mr.P.
G
Ginger Pfizenmayer-Pietropinto posted a condolence
Mr. Petrella was one of my 7th grade teachers at Central Middle School in the early 90s. He was also my cheerleading coach :o) - I can't tell you how many fly fishing stories he used to tell us. I always knew under that tough exterior was a nice guy. He and I always got along, he was very passionate about his job from what I can remember. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.....may he rest in peace.
J
Jeremy L posted a condolence
I was a student of Mr. Petrella's in 1987 and 1988 at Central Middle School. I have many fond memories of his class and can easily list him among many of my favorite teachers I had in my academics. I even had the pleasure of being a part of his after school fly fishing club (even though I only lasted a few meetings). The one thing that always stood out with each of his classes was the experience you had on that particular day...and it always started with that clicking sound his shoes made walking down the halls. I haven't seen Mr. Petrella probably since I finished at Central but he will definitely be fondly missed and remembered.
A
Audrey M. Petrella posted a condolence
Our first date was 50 years ago, my 19th birthday, November 11, 1961 - the day I fell in love with you and I will always love you.
As time goes by we will be together again forever.