Noted educator Thomas John Petruny, of Beacon Falls, the beloved husband of Irene Milko Petruny, passed away quietly on Sunday, July 5, 2009 at Connecticut Hospice, Branford, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was 61.
He was born in Derby on July 9, 1947, the son of the late John and Edna Petruny.
Petruny was a noted educator and sportsman and a long time resident of the Valley.
He was a graduate of Seymour High School, Class of 1965.
He spent 38 years as a professional educator. He was a teacher and administrator for 25 years in the Monroe School system.
He was then appointed Assistant Superintendent for the Seymour school system from March 1994 to March 2002. Thomas was ultimately appointed Superintendent for Seymour schools from March 2002 until retiring in March 2007.
Since 1998, Petruny served as President of the Seymour Fish and Game Club. He was active and involved in hunting and fishing throughout his life, traveling the world to explore new fishing waters.
He was also a competitive trap and skeet shooter.
In addition to his caring wife Irene, his loving family includes his two cherished daughters, Loren Petruny of Georgia and Allison Petruny Kruger and her husband Christopher of Utah, his loving grandchildren Aubrey Kruger and Austin Kruger.
He is also survived by a devoted sister Margaret Petruny Parker and her husband Jeff of Rhode Island, nephew Jack Parker and niece Katey Parker.
Survivors also include two devoted step-children, Tracy Jandrok and Christopher Jandrok, both of Southbury and cherished grandchildren Justin Ziegler and Alan-Michael Ziegler.
A funeral service in celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of the Miller-Ward Funeral Home, 260 Bank Street (RT. 67, opposite Klarides Village) Seymour, with Bishop Steven Spencer of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Southbury, officiating.
Interment will follow in the family plot at Mountain Meadows Cemetery, Seymour.
The family will greet friends and relatives at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Seymour Fish and Game Club Science Scholarship Program, PO Box 547, Oxford, CT 06478 or through the funeral home.
Click here to read what Seymour school board members said about their former Superintendent.
