John J Petko

John J.“Jack” Petko passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Providence Place Senior Living at the age of 92.   
He was the husband to Mary Louise “Lou” Petko for 64 years and resided in Eagleville, PA. Mr. Petko was born in the Northeastern Pennsylvania coal regions in Lansford where he grew up and was a graduate of St. Michael’s High School. Upon graduation he left the Coal regions and ventured south in search of work and landed in the Norristown PA area and secured a job at the relatively new B. F. Goodrich Tire Company in nearby Oaks, PA. Shortly after starting as a tire builder, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during start of the Korean Warand chose the Airborne branch where he underwent vigorous training and was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division. During one of his qualifying “parachute jumps” he sustained injuries which ended his Airbornecareer and potential deployment to activities ongoing in Korea. While recovering, he was then placed on special assignment with the 7th Army Occupation Forces in Germany were he held the esteemed position as a general officer’s driver of a Brigadier General at the Patch Barracks 7th Army Headquarters for several years and also was a qualified driver of all active equipment including the 280mm “Atomic” Cannon before being honorably discharged. Upon his return, hegot married to his Norristown sweetheart Mary Louise Anthony and spent the majority of his life working at the B. F. Goodrich Tire Company in Oaks, PA. beginning as a tire builder and finishing as a Chief Classifier / Quality Control Specialist until the plant closing in 1985. He then took Technical Training and became an Electrician working with Gelet Electrical Services for several years, and then for the Montgomery County Courthouse as a County Facilities/ Lot Attendant retiring at the age of 69. He was a member of the Visitation B.V.M. Parish from their early beginnings till the time of his passing and participated in the Knights of Columbus and the Church Booster Club. During his long journey he has touched a multitude of people’s lives and established many friendships. Jack enjoyed reading many journals such as Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, National Geographic, and Trains Magazine- the latter he held an active subscription from 1963 till his passing. He also enjoyedcollecting U S Postal stamps and was an avid Railroad “Buff” watching and photographically documenting the local Pennsylvania and Reading Railroads. In recent years, he had several of his photographs published in a Railroad photo essay book. In later years Jack could be found with his life-long partner Lou working around their Eagleville home they had built in 1956. They attended the yearly Philadelphia Flower Show and on weekends looked forward to visiting nurseries to find that perfect flower or plant to bring home. Their property was filled with all sorts of exotic plants and trees including a Sequoia, Witch Hazel,Tree Peony, Helleborus (Lenten Rose),and even a fig tree. Loving sports, he was a huge fan supporting all the Philadelphia teams always watching every game if possible. He will be missed by all that knew him.

John Joseph was born in Lansford, PA on September 17,1932 and was the son of the late Joseph and Hellen (Danso) Petko.
He is survived by hisyoungest brother Thomas, his daughter, Susan (Petko) Estes, wife of Stewart, his son John M. Petko, his wife Robin and only grandson Justin Michael Petko.   
He was predeceased by three Brothers Richard, Joseph and Donald, and sister Bernice Gambone.

A brief memorial service will be held on April 11, 2025 @ 1:00pm in honor of both J. J. Petko and Mary Louise at the St. Patrick’s Mausoleum Chapel in Norristown PA. In leu of flowers donations in their names can be made to St. Patrick’s Chapel, Visitation BVM Church, and Grane Hospice. 
 

Mary “Lou” Louise (Anthony) Petko passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Einstein Hospital at the age of 86.   
She was the wife of John J. "Jack" Petko for 64 years. Mrs. Petko of Eagleville was a graduate of St. Patrick's High School, and has spent her entire life working in the automotive industry, for several manufacturers and multiple local dealerships in the Norristown area. She began her business career right out of High School as a Title Clerk with Borss Chevrolet taking a minor break after several years to  get married and raise two children to school age. She then continued on her path at Melchiorre Chevrolet, Mirabile Pontiac and Sport/Jeep Pontiac where she retired at the age of 82 as their Administrative Office Manager.  During her long journey she has touched a multitude of people’s lives and established many friendships.   Lou enjoyed collecting everything Chickens/Roosters themed and was an avid gardener. She attended the yearly Philadelphia Flower Show and on weekends looked forward to visiting nurseries to find that perfect flower or plant to bring home.  Loving sports, she was a huge fan supporting all of the Philadelphia teams always watching every game if possible. 

Mary Louise was born in Norristown on December 8, 1933 and was the daughter of the late Martin and Mary (Lenhart) Anthony.
She is survived by her husband John J. Petko, her daughter, Susan (Petko) Estes, wife of Stewart, her son John Petko, his wife Robin and only grandson Justin Michael Petko and one brother Robert Anthony .   
She was predeceased by two Brothers Richard and Martin, two sisters Doris Newton and Margaret DeSante.

All arrangements are in care of the Volpe Funeral Home.

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