WESTFIELD – John M. Petersante, 73, of Westfield, passed away Sunday evening surrounded by his family. John was born on December 2, 1939 in Westfield to the late Martha and Anthony Petersante.
He is a graduate of Chester High School class of 1957. John proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for 6 years, before and during the Berlin crisis. For over 30 years, John worked as a material handler and machine operator at the former Westfield River Paper Company in Russell, MA. During his time at the company, John was a former President of the Union and Chief Steward. An avid lover of photography, he studied photography at Holyoke Community College and owned his own wedding photography business known as Trayann Photography. He was an active member of the American Legion in Russell, he played in many softball leagues and was a professional candlepin bowler for many years.
John leaves his wife, Kathleen (Garvansites) Petersante of Westfield; daughter, Tracy Petersante of Providence, RI, and her fiancé, Michael Marshuk; brother, Paul Petersante and wife, Dian Petersante of Chester; niece, Martha Schmidt of Illinois, and sister-in-law, Irm Petersante.
Calling hours will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Legacy Funeral Home, 4 Princeton Street, Westfield on Thursday, October 3. Relatives and friends are requested to meet at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield on Friday, October 4 for a 10:00 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial. Please visit www.legacy-funeralhome.com.
