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 John Francis Xavier Petroccione
June 13, 2005
John Francis Xavier Petroccione, 92, of 227 Hemlock Lane died Monday morning at home.
Born in Bayonne, N.J., on March 2, 1913, son of John and Maria Minetti Petroccione, he attended schools there and graduated from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, N.J. He earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from St. Peter's College in Jersey City, and a master of arts degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.
In addition to several graduate study programs, he was most proud of a John Hay Fellowship allowing him to study humanities at Williams College.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a lieutenant aboard the USS General A.E. Anderson, a troop transport ship, from June 1942 to November 1945.
Mr. Petroccione dedicated his professional life to the field of education. He was a chemistry teacher and chairman of the science department at River Dell Regional School in Oradell, N.J., for more than 35 years. When he retired in 1975 as assistant superintendent and curriculum director, he was still teaching one class. He first taught chemistry and physics for 12 years at Bayonne High School, Bayonne Junior College and at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Princeton University named him Teacher of the Year in 1962. St. Peter's College honored him with the Chetwood Award for distinguished Teaching in 1971 "because he is a true example of the phase dedicated teacher which he daily demonstrated in his continuing interest in youth."
After retiring from teaching he moved from New Jersey to Connecticut and then to Massachusetts in the 1980s.
While a resident of Williamstown, he was a daily communicant of St. Raphael's Church.
He was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, and a frequent volunteer at the Sweet Brook Health Care Center.
His wife, the former Margaret "Peggy" Stewart, whom he married Aug. 7, 1943, died April 8, 1988.
He leaves two daughters, Marcy Umbricht of Oak Hill, Ill., and Patricia Jones of Red Lion, Del.; two sons, John Petroccione of Somers, N.Y., and Paul Petroccione of De Kalb Junction, N.Y., 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services for John Francis Xavier Petroccione will take place Friday at 11:15 a.m. at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME for FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Noon at St. Raphael's Church.
Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Pittsfield. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested for the Sts. Patrick and Raphael Food Pantry through the funeral home. John was admired and loved by 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and his dearest friend, Reiko Yamada.
As a teacher, he said, his students "revitalize me with their ideals and rejuvenated me with their enthusiasm." Together John and his wife Peggy set an inspiring example of faith and love of family for their surviving children.
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