Daniel J. Petitt, Sr.

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, Daniel Joseph Petitt, Sr., passed into eternal peace and his next stop is Willoughby, a place of peace and tranquility where he will hopefully enjoy an afterlife.

He was born on March 2, 1950, in Newark, New Jersey.

Dan was predeceased by his father, Clarence, his mother, Margaret (nee Reynolds), his sister, Maryann Carlowicz and his brother, James Petitt. Dan was also predeceased by his oldest son, James Petitt.

He attended St. Ann’s Grammar School in Newark and graduated from Essex Catholic High School in 1968.

He had resided in many communities in New Jersey including Newark, Irvington, Bound Brook, and Bayonne, before retiring to live with his son and family in Alpha, Warren County, NJ three years ago.

A free spirit, Dan loved being on the road and travelling. In fact, one of Dan’s greatest desires in life was to drive a bus like his father before him. He accomplished that by driving for Suburban Transit for five years and then working at NJ Transit Bus Operations in Newark for twenty-eight years, retiring in 2007 as Chief Driving Instructor. After his retirement, he drove a tour bus for Raritan Valley Bus Service in Edison for five years.

Dan was also a member of the New Jersey National Guard from 1971-1985. He was a Sergeant in the Combat Support Company of the 102nd Armor Group of the 1st Army in Phillipsburg, NJ, and then an Assistant Division Operations Sergeant in the Headquarters Company of the 50th Armored Division in Somerset, NJ.

In addition, he was a member of American Legion Post #1000 in Trenton for many years and was a long-time member of the B.P.O. Elks, including the West Orange Lodge #1590 and the Flemington Elks Lodge #1928, where he served as Exalted Ruler from 2020 to 2023. Dan was also a member of the AMVETS. Dan also enjoyed serving his community as a member of the Union Township, Hunterdon County, NJ Planning Board.

Surviving are his children, Becky Petitt of New Jersey, Meghan Petitt of Florida, Daniel J. Petitt, Jr. of Alpha, NJ, and Erin Petitt of Red Bank, NJ; three granddaughters, Rachel, Cheyenne, and Roxann; as well as two great-grandchildren. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

A visitation will take place on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. An Elks and Eulogy service will follow at 2:00 PM in the funeral home. Interment will be in Cherryville Mountainview Cemetery, Cherryville Road, Cherryville, NJ.

BY DAN’S REQUEST, THOSE ATTENDING THE SERVICES PLEASE DO NOT WEAR BLACK OR DARK CLOTHING. HIS WISHES ARE THAT EVERYONE WEAR BRIGHTLY COLORED CLOTHING TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE.

Donations in Dan’s name may be made to God's Love We Deliver, 166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013 or by clicking here: https://www.glwd.org/about-us/contact-us/

Arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit his Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.