James L Petrovsky

James came into the world on July 26, 1928, to loving parents Frank and Tereza Petrovsky. His name was inspired by James the Greater one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, who is celebrated on July 25. He was born at Wilson Memorial Hospital and was brought home to Colfax Avenue in Binghamton's First Ward, to his sister Frances and brother Henry.

Growing up during the great depression of the 1930s in an ethnic Slovak and Russian neighborhood would give James an early understanding of what it meant to work hard. As a child, it was instilled in him that the hallmarks of life are work, thrift, education, Church, patriotism, and family unity. A lesson he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Jim joined the Navy following high school and served on the USS Rochester, a heavy cruiser that was the Admirals Flag Ship in the Mediterranean 6th Fleet. Earning a GI Bill, he would attend the University of Miami. After returning home, Jim met the love of his life Lubov "Libby" Shiptenko, a neighborhood beauty. He married her at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, November 10, 1951, they had three children, Kathryn, Linda, and Thomas.

Working for IBM for 37 years, he was part of the original team who's miniaturization fostered by solid-state devices, the IBM PC. He was awarded an IBM Fellowship for his development participation in the first IBM Solid State Computer. Traveling the world for IBM until the day he retired.

Jim had many hobbies throughout his life, including, but not limited to, model building, art, golf, photography. He shared a love of Barbershop with his wife Libby for over 60 years. He was involved in activities with the Elks Club, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and the USS Rochester Alumni.

His final breath was on June 24, 2020, at 6:30 AM; he was 91 years old. He will be remembered for his strength and his love and devotion to his family. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Lubov (Libby) Petrovsky (Shiptenko), his children Kathryn Edgar Henry, Lynn Heltne - Terry Heltne, Thomas J. Petrovsky - Nancy Petrovsky, his grandchildren Jeffery Petrovsky, Hilary Childs - Matthew Childs and great-granddaughter Parker Lubov Childs.

His Funeral will be Sunday, July 5, 2020. Visitation will be from 3-5 PM service at 5:00 PM. Burial is private (family only) on Tuesday, July 7, at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida.

Family and friends can view the Facebook Live Streaming of the service at: https://www.facebook.com/Aycock-Funeral-Homes-and-Crematory-152631231444987/