Paul Petro, Sr., 74, of Milford, NJ passed away on Friday January 20, 2012 at his home.

Born June 11, 1937 in Luzerne, PA, Paul lived most of his life in Milford, NJ. He graduated from Kings College in Wilkes Barre, PA and attended Trenton State College in New Jersey. He was a special education teacher for many years. He first taught at Woods Schools in Langhorne, PA then at Frenchtown Elementary School for ten years. He taught at Delaware Valley Regional High School from 1969 until his retirement in 1992. After retirement, Paul owned and operated Petro Lawn Maintenance.
Paul touched the lives of many children over the years as a teacher and a coach. He was the Head Coach of Delaware Valley High Schools Girls Softball Team from 1977 until 1987, he then continued as an assistant coach for many years. He led the team to Delaware Valley High Schools only Girls Softball Teams state championship in 1985. Paul also coached his three sons in the Delaware Valley Athletic Associations Little League. An avid outdoorsman, Paul enjoyed hunting. He was an avid Red Socks and Penn State fan and he enjoyed collecting beer cans, baseball cards and Hess trucks. Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Son of the late Michael and Helen Kobik Petro, Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Mary P. (Nice) Petro, three sons Paul Petro, Jr. and his wife Maureen of Bethlehem, PA, Mark Petro and his wife Kathy of Holland Township, NJ and Gregg Petro of Milford, NJ, his daughter Nicole Carr and her husband Eric of Holland Township, NJ, two brothers Michael Petro, Jr. of Pennsville, NJ and Joseph Petro of Winter Park, FL, a sister Marianne Petro of Dallas, PA, and six grandchildren Matthew, Leah, Luke, Michelle, Jake and Kylee. Paul was predeceased by his brother John Petro and his sister Barbara Balut.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday January 24, 2012 at 10 AM at St. Edward the Confessor R.C. Church, 61 Mill St., Milford, NJ 08848. Interment will follow in Milford Union Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 4 8 PM at the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Rd., Holland Township, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church (address above) or to Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Dr., Flemington, NJ 08822.