Jerry J Petraccoro

Jerry J. Petraccoro, of Toms River, NJ, formerly of Summit and Berkeley Heights, NJ, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025, at the age of 91.

Visiting will be held in Paul Ippolito Berkeley Memorial, 646 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights, NJ on Wednesday, August 20th from 6-8 PM and on Thursday, August 21st from 9-10 AM. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home at 10 AM on Thursday, August 21st, immediately followed by the interment in St. Teresa's Cemetery, Summit, NJ.

Jerry was born in Madison, NJ and grew up in Summit. He and his younger brother Paul were raised by their beloved mother, Theresa and father, Paul Joseph. Jerry and his cherished wife of 53 years, Sharon, were longtime residents of Berkeley Heights, NJ before settling in Toms River.

During high school and college, Jerry was in the marching band and later became a jazz drummer and band leader. He was in the class of 1952, Summit High School and then in 1956, Jerry received a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. After college, he had a remarkable and iconic career, where he was a self-employed entrepreneur in the engineering and building fields. He is notoriously known for designing, constructing and owning the indestructible Thunderbird Motel in Mantoloking, NJ. In addition, Jerry built over 1,000 residential homes and commercial buildings throughout the state of NJ. Including Diamond Hill Estates, Senior Citizen Buildings and three Kentucky Fried Chickens.

Jerry is the dear brother of Paul Petraccoro and his wife Betty; the loving father of Deborah Ann Wheaton and her late husband Bernard, Jerry Petraccoro, Jr. and his wife Sara, Marilyn Petraccoro, Jeffrey Petraccoro and his wife Joan Marie, Diane Petraccoro, Cherie Petraccoro, Melissa Lavy and her husband Zohar, Paul Petraccoro and his wife Jessica and Christopher Petraccoro; also survived by eight adoring grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Jerry lived his life for his family and will forever be remembered for his strength, courage, quick wit, loyalty, generosity and storytelling.

"Be bold, be bold and everywhere be bold." Jerry's high school quote.