Edward M. Petruska

Edward M. Petruska of Levittown passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at Chandler Hall, Newtown. He was 84. Born in Hazleton, PA, Ed has lived in Bucks County more than 60 years. He was the son of the late Michael and Margaret (Kollar) Petruska. Ed graduated from Hazleton Senior High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. His fascination with aviation became a lifelong passion. Following an honorable discharge from the Army in 1945, he entered the Pennsylvania State University and graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1950. Ed worked as a chemical engineer at the Philadelphia Navy Yard before taking a position as a Senior Scientist at Rohm & Haas from 1951-1971. Ed went on to earn his MS in Industrial Hygiene from Villanova in 1972, commencing his second career as an Industrial Hygienist. He worked at American Mutual Insurance Company from 1972-1980 and Kemper Insurance Company from 1980 until his retirement in 1993. He served as president of the American Industrial Hygienist Association. In addition to his academic and professional accomplishments, Ed was a member of St. Michael's and Bristol Township Seniors Groups, the Pinewood Swim Club, and a subscriber to the Walnut Street Theater. Ed is survived by his brother, John, and his wife Maryann (Nesterock) in Santa Rosa, CA; his sister, Doris Jenco in Hazleton; and another brother, Rev. William M. Petruska, CAPT, CHC, USN (retired) in San Diego, CA; as well as many nieces and nephews. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Michael the Archangel Church, 66 Levittown Parkway, Levittown, Wednesday, April 21, at 10:00 am, preceded by a viewing from 9:00 until 9:45 am. He will be interred in his home town of Hazleton at Holy Trinity (Slovak) Cemetery on Laurel Hill at 10:00 am, Thursday, April 22. Burial will be preceded by a viewing at the Frank Bonin Funeral Home, 542-544 N. Wyoming Street, Hazleton at 9:00 am. In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate memorial contributions be made in his name to Women of Hope, 251 North Lawrence Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or Saint Michael the Archangel Church at the above address.