Alfred T. Petrecca Sr., Korean War Vet, New Jersey State Trooper, Dies at 78

Courtesy of Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home:

Alfred Thomas Petrecca Sr., 78, of Beachwood, passed away peacefully and was lifted up to Heaven on Monday, Sept. 22, 2014.

He was born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1936 and grew up in Fairlawn. He moved to Beachwood with his wife Anna (Marro) Petrecca and six children in 1972.

Al proudly and honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1955-1959 as a Veteran of the Korean War. After his service in the Marines, he became a member of the New Jersey State Police graduating the 56th class in 1960 and served with honor, duty, and fidelity until 1985.

Colleagues called Al a hero and a legend in the New Jersey State Police for his dedication and outstanding boxing skills. Al retired as Detective Sergeant First Class. He was a graduate of Stockton State College and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and continued on with his education at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Upon retiring from the New Jersey State Police, he worked at Light House Point Marina for 18 years until he officially retired. He was a member of St. Barnabas Parish in Bayville and was a man of unwavering faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He married the love of his life Anna in 1962 and they were married for almost 52 wonderful years.

He was a man of God who had compassion, courage, integrity, character his entire life. He loved Jesus, his family, friends, and people unconditionally. He especially loved and enjoyed every single moment with his 13 grandchildren. He fought Parkinson’s disease for 16 years and never quit and never complained once. He enjoyed taking long walks, pizza, burgers, chocolate and especially Anna’s homemade cooking. He will be greatly missed but always loved.

Al is predeceased by his parents, Amerigo and Helen Petrecca of Fairlawn; brother, James of Wayne and brother, Daniel of Fairlawn. He is survived by his loving sister, Patricia Woods and her husband Thomas of Butler; his wife, Anna Petrecca of Beachwood; his son, Alfred Petrecca Jr. of Ephrata, PA; his daughter, Laura (Petrecca) Coccia and her husband Matt of Bayville; his son, Vincent and his wife Cheryl of Toms River; his son, Dominick and wife Michelle of Bayville; his son, Victor of Beachwood; his son, Matthew and his wife Diane of Bayville and 13 beautiful grandchildren.

Visitations will be Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home located at 703 Main Street, Toms River. Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on at Saint Barnabas Church located at 33 Woodland Road, Bayville. In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkinson’s Research Centers are preferred. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.andersonandcampbell.com