Jerry R. Petrucci

Jerry R. Petrucci, 70, a lifelong resident of the Bunker Hill section of Scranton, died Thursday in his home. His wife is the former Tana Micciche Petrucci.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Rose Luongo Petrucci. He was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School, class of 1960, and went on to further his education at Lackawanna Junior College. Jerry then embarked upon a 30-year career with PennDOT. A big-hearted and compassionate person, Jerry was unconditionally devoted to his beautifull wife, Tana. His daughter, Shari, meant the world to him. His grandchildren, Briana and Tyler, will forever know they had the best Pop on the planet. Jerry loved his brother Albert and devoured the special foods his brother would bring him from his travels. He was proud of his niece Lisa, and nephews Sal and Jeff. If a measure of a person is the shadow they cast while alive, then Jerry's was gargantuan. He always had a laugh, a joke or a friendly "hello" to his family, friends and even strangers he just met. He often referred to people as "Cousin." During the 70's, Jerry and Albert, along with their wives, Tana and Audrey, and their parents, Salvatore and "Ma" Rosie, operated Petrucci's Bar in the Petersburg section of Scranton. There they first introduced Italian cooking to a then predominantly German and English neighborhood. Jerry cared deeply about prevention of cruelty toward children and animals (especially cats). He was passionate about film documentaries, sports, history and political trivia. Jerry unofficially held the arm wrestling championship of Northeast Pennsylvania. In this holiday season, Jerry certainly lived the motto "peace and goodwill toward men." He will most certainly be missed but never forgotten.

Also surviving are a daughter, Shari Dunn, Dunmore; a brother, Albert and wife, Audrey, Scranton; two grandchildren, Briana and Tyler Dunn, Dunmore; nieces, nephews, cousins and an uncle.

The funeral will be Monday from the August J. Haas Funeral Home Inc., 202 Pittston Ave., with Mass at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church to be celebrated by the Rev. Joseph Sica. Entombment, Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 712 S. Keyser Ave., Scranton, PA 18517; or to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To leave an online condolence, visit www.augusthaasfuneralhome.com.