Arthur Paul Petracco Jr., Former Mayor Of Bay Head Dies At 73

Courtesy of Van Hise and Callagan Funeral Home:

Arthur Paul Petracco, Jr. , the former Mayor of Bay Head, died at Ocean Medical Center Monday, March 14, 2016 at age 73.

Born in Elizabeth NJ to Mildred (Elko) and Arthur Paul Sr., Art was the eldest of four siblings who survive him, Michael (Barbara), Houston; Barbara (Sal) Marino, Point Pleasant; and John (Valerie), Ft. Myers, FL.

Art was a graduate of St. Rose High School (1961), where he played basketball and baseball, and attended Monmouth University.

Art was also a Bay Head lifeguard and a volunteer fireman in the town. He then embarked on a long career in the trucking industry, most recently for Cambria Truck Center, Edison.

But he was most known for the nearly two decades that he served as Bay Head Council President and then as a two-term Mayor there, retiring in 2007. Among his many accomplishments was successfully convincing the NJ Department of Health to locate a satellite emergency care facility on Route 88 in Point Pleasant, and negotiating with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to start the dredging process for Twilight Lake in Bay Head.

He was currently the treasurer of the Ocean County Mayors' Association. Personally, he was known for his love of all things Rutgers, even his well-worn red cap; his obsession with golf, which he practiced with more enthusiasm than expertise; his joyous nature and generosity; and his quick and insightful wit.

In addition to his parents, Art was predeceased by his wife of 34 years Nancy Hamilton Petracco and his son Matthew. Surviving are his loving wife Monica Walsh Petracco; his children Christopher (Susan), Annapolis; Anne (John) Woods, Annapolis; Ethan (partner Daria) of Mantoloking; and son Arthur Petracco III. He's also survived by his five grandchildren, Carolyn and Andrew Petracco and Jack, Nell and Van.

A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Sacred Heart R.C. Church in Bay Head. Cremation will be private. Viewing hours will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at Van Hise & Callagan Funeral Home 812 Arnold Ave. Point Pleasant Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Andrew and Carolyn College Savings Account / Ocean First Bank c/o Frank Scapone - 2400 Bridge Ave. Point Pleasant, NJ 08742.