Thomas Petrush Obituary

Thomas Donald Petrush MT. PLEASANT - Thomas Donald Petrush, 94, passed peacefully in his sleep on June 18, 2013. Born May 27, 1919, in Wallington, NJ, he was the son of George and Mary Petrush and the husband of Louise Kolodziej Petrush. Mr. Petrush had been a longtime resident of New Jersey before moving to Mt. Pleasant in 2007. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ, in 1960; earned a Master's Degree in Science from William Paterson University, NJ; and achieved over sixty Post Graduate credits in Earth and Space Science from numerous institutions, including the National Science Foundation High School Earth Science Institute, Rutgers, NJ, and Snow College, UT. Thomas spent nearly twenty years working for Botany Mills in Passaic, NJ, ultimately becoming supervisor of food services; owned and operated restaurants in Passaic and Paterson, NJ; changed professions in 1960 to become an educator at Nathan Hale School in Northvale, NJ; and as of 1965 taught science and was the first director of the school planetarium at Northern Highlands Regional High School, in Allendale, NJ, retiring at age 72. Mr. Petrush served in the Army during WWII; was a Trustee of American Legion Post 153 in Park Ridge, NJ, remaining a member after moving to Mt. Pleasant; and was elected to the Park Ridge Board of Education, serving a term as President of the Board. Thomas will be missed by his wife of 72 years, Louise; his two daughters, Mrs. Charmaine Gillow (Robert) of Mt. Pleasant and Mrs. Coquette Wazeter (Bob) of Champlain, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Audrey Hornyak (Craig) of Hewitt, NJ, Pamela Fleming (John) of River Edge, NJ, Dr. Jeffrey Gillow (Christine) of Castle Pines, CO, Dawn Wazeter, Mahopac, NY, Jacqueline Wazeter, Peekskill, NY; his great-grandchildren, Faith, Paige, Shannon, Sara Rose, Kayla, and Aliya; and several nieces and nephews. Thomas is preceded in death by his brothers Joseph, Edward, and George; by his sisters Mary, Olga, and Ann; and by four nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013, at 11:00AM at McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Burial at Beaufort National Cemetery will be on July 12, 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans at dav.org or by mail at Attention: Gift Processing, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, or to Feline Freedom Coalition, PO Box 874, Ravenel, SC 29470. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online by visiting www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466, (843) 884-3833. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston