KILMARNOCK—On Monday, October 31, 2022, Jack Petralia, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 88.
Jack was born on December 29, 1933, in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, N.Y. A graduate of the Academy of Aeronautics, Jack went on to work at Grumman Aerospace. During his storied career, he worked on the Lunar Module, Apollo 11, Apollo 13, the Space Shuttle and the U.S. Space Station.
Jack achieved his goal of early retirement in 1993. Among his proud possessions are the original flight plan for Apollo 11 and a piece of the astronaut’s harness from Apollo 13, a memento of particular significance as he ended his career working for Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Hayes.
An avid sailor and fisherman, Jack loved the water. He and his wife Louise moved to Kilmarnock in 1994 and quickly became active members of the community, serving in many leadership positions at the Church of the Visitation.
Jack was father to three children, Valerie, Richard and John, and the proud grandfather of six granddaughters, all of whom descended on Kilmarnock every summer for golf, swim and tennis camps at the Indian Creek Country Club as well as adventures to Grog and “Pirate” Island.
Those who live around Fleets Bay have likely seen Andiamo! and her chipper skipper Jack. They might remember the smile and wave of the man who always seemed to be living on a cloud. No problem was unsolvable. No cloud too big. Kindness sprung from him like air, and few who met him don’t have a memory of kindness and generosity.
While illness had put an end to his own piloting days, he was never happier than when sitting by the dock looking out at the water, and watching his granddaughters paddle about on Indian Creek.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Louise; his three children, Valerie (Steven) of Bristol, Conn., Richard (Alison) of Portland, Ore., and John (Diane) of Concord, N.C. He is also survived by six granddaughters, Amy, Megan, Leigh, Emily, Kate and Olivia; and one great-grandson, Anthony.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 7, at Church of the Visitation, Topping. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
