Joseph Petriw

Joseph Petriw of Livingston passed away peacefully at his home on June 1, 2022. He was born on June 13,1924 in Newark, NJ. His parents John and Anna Petriw emigrated from Ternopil, Ukraine to Irvington, NJ and then settled in Belmar, NJ. Joe and his brother Andy grew up in Irvington where they attended school and played in the Bugle Corp. They both worked for 2 years at Crucible Steel in Harrison.

In 1943, during World War II, Joe joined the Army Air Force because he wanted to serve his country. He completed 37 combat missions as a gunner in the 494th Bomb Squadron, 344 Bomb Group. He and his combat crew bravely battled the opposition forces in the skies over Belgium, France and Germany. When the war ended in 1945, Joe re-enlisted in the Army Air Force and participated in a special mission in Dakar, West Africa. Joe received the EAME Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, The Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters and the WWII Victory Medal. In 2018 Joe was honored at a "Heroes Among Us" ceremony during a New Jersey Devils Game at the Prudential Center.

After the war, Joe married his beautiful wife Anne Skvarenina. Joe, along with his father John, brother Andy, and wife Anne built their house on the lot they purchased in Livingston NJ. They had six children who attended St. Philomena's School and the family became life-long parishioners at St. Philomena's Church.

Joe worked as a Letter Carrier for the U.S. Post Office for 31 years. To help support his growing family, he often worked 2 jobs. He was a great handyman, often under-charging for his work, just to be a nice guy.

Joe was an avid bowler and enjoyed several decades competing on the men's leagues at East Hanover Lanes. Joe favorite pastime was fishing. Whether at Diamond Mill Pond, Hacklebarney State Park, Shark River or in the surf fishing, Joe was always happy with his rod in hand and a fish on the hook. Joe was a great family man and he always found time for his six children. His kids have fond memories of watching fireworks, going to drive-in movie theaters, picnicking in the South Mountain Reservation, going for rides in the "Bat Boat," and especially taking their annual summer vacations in West Point Island and Surf City.

In 1984, after 31 years of dedicated work, Joe retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He continued to keep busy doing work around the house and yard, cleaning gutters and pursuing his many interests and hobbies. He also volunteered his time with the Livingston Historical Society at the Force Home.

Joe is survived by his daughter Diane and husband Albert Iannacone, his son John and wife Teri, his son Steve, his daughter Sue, his son Rob and wife Luba, and his son Tom and wife Memmy. Joe is also survived by his nephew Michael Skvarenina and wife Johanna. Joe leaves behind 8 cherished grandchildren, Allison, Joey, Nick, Tatiana, Mia, Isabella, Andrew and Chase. Joe was especially proud and fond of his 2 great-grandchildren, Evan and Owen. Joe was also a loving "grandpup" to his son Steve's dogs, Woody and Rocky.

Joe was predeceased by his brother Andrew and his grandson Miguel Sanchez III.

Joe with be truly missed by his wife, family and friends, and the memories will always live on.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 8, from 4-8 PM at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. Funeral mass will be offered at St. Philomena's Church, Livingston on Thursday, June 9 at 10:30AM, with interment to follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran's Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ.