Edward F. Petit-Clair, Jr.

Edward F. Petit-Clair Jr, 81, of Brick, passed away on March 1, 2021 while hospitalized at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ. Edward was born in Newark NJ to Edward F. Petit-Clair and Carmella Petit-Clair (Salzano), on November 7, 1939. He graduated from North Arlington High School before proudly serving in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant and was honorably discharged. One notable part of his brave service was volunteering to be assigned to the Arctic Test Board at Fort Greeley, Alaska, where he participated in testing the HALO parachute for viability under arctic conditions. Edward was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from Rutgers University and went on to graduate from Seton Hall Law School where he was elected President of the Student Bar Association. Edward was admitted to the bar in 1970 and practiced law for more than 50 years. He worked as an attorney at the City of Newark before going into private practice as a partner in Petit-Clair and Graves, Attorneys at Law, in both Newark and Irvington NJ. In addition to his private practice, he served as counsel to the Essex County Educational Services Commission and Irvington Housing Authority. He was a devoted father and grandfather, elected school board member and active as a coach and scout leader. An avid shooter and competitive marksman, he won several individual and team awards throughout his lifetime. He was particularly proud of his grandchildren and they brought him great joy. He was a loyal friend and confidante. He loved and cherished his dogs. He possessed great wit and could always make you smile with a joke. He valued integrity and loyalty. He will be missed by many and his passing will be felt by all whose lives he touched. Edward is survived by his son, Edward J. Petit-Clair and daughter-in-law, Kimberly Petit-Clair and her daughter Jules Mason of Hulmeville PA and his daughter Michele Snow and son-in-law, Ronald Snow of Branchburg, along with his grandchildren Melissa and Michael Snow. Edward is also survived by a sister, Charon Cuthbert of Arizona. Visitation and services will be private and held on Saturday, March 6, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 2 PM at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington NJ 08822. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org). For further information or to send online condolences, we invite you to visit www.holcombefisher.com.