Posted by NJD on April 20, 2009 at 09:41:10:
It is with profound sadness we must say Walter Petrovich, with residences in Wall Township, New Jersey, and East Falmouth, MA, has passed away, suddenly, just before 10PM on Wednesday, April 15th, at the age of 81. Or 82, depending on who is doing the arithmetic. Never quite certain about the date of his birth, Wally celebrated his birthday at his convenience, or, sometimes on consecutive days, beginning December 7th, December 8th, and ending on December 9th. Only once we had access to his birth certificate was the date confirmed to be December 9,1927. He then began the task of returning several hundred sleeves of golf balls, bags of tees, and assorted irons he had received as multiple day birthday presents. Over the years he had been presented with about two dozen "9 irons" ... sadly, all from the same person.
“PFANS”, as he was known to his friends, family, and the blogging community, was an untiring and passionate advocate for labor and working citizens from all walks of life. He was founder and creative director of People for a New Society, (www.peopleforanewsociety.org) a grassroots organization which advocates “every social, human, scientific and philosophic advance came from the recognition that change was the only way to create a better life, and present society no longer provides for the health, welfare, and security of the majority.” Believing in education as the only pathway to truth, peace, and societal well being, he lived by the credo “It is better to strive for enlightenment than to curse the darkness.”
Walter would talk to citizens everywhere across America, including his physicians, nurse staff, orderies, and roommates while on extended stays at Jersey Shore Medical Center. He often recited the words of Abraham Lincoln “Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Labor can exist without capital, but capital cannot exist without labor.” Which, he said, makes labor the pivotal component.
For more than 40 years Wally was a frequent "Letter to the (Asbury Park Press) Editor" contributor, his last letter 2/12/09 "Grassroots effort needed to promote democracy". He abhorred our current politico-economic system which he described to all as corporate fascism. His most ardent argument was “Democracy means the people have a direct voice and vote in all maters that affect our lives, but we don’t have it under the current structure. We, the majority, are nothing more than spectators in a system that calls itself democratic.”
Walter Petrovich was born at home, in Linden, NJ and, after serving in the Army as a surgical technician, graduated from Jersey City State Teachers College in 1952 where he broke many records as captain of the basketball, bowling, and baseball teams. “Wally” to his friends and family, had a special love for golf, often playing at Spring Meadow Golf Course in Wall, and on Cape Cod, Massachussets. He never took a Mulligan, and never used a foot wedge. He was an elementary school teacher, coach, and administrator in the Long Branch School District for more than 30 years.
He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Anna Petrovich, his infant brother, John, and his sister Mary Rohoche, of Linden, New Jersey.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Frantin Petrovich, of Wall, NJ and East Falmouth, MA, son David and his wife Lynn Petrovich, Oakhurst, NJ, daughter Amy Albelli and her husband Kevin of Mahwah, NJ, his sisters-in-law Janet Azarovitz and her husband Tom of West Falmouth, MA, Lillia Frantin and her husband Herb Edwards of North Falmouth Village, MA, his granddaughter, Katrina Petrovich and many loving nieces and nephews.
A private, celebration of life is planned for between one and three days in May.
For condolences, please email - PFANS4ever@gmail.com.