James A. Petrousky

ATHOL - James Alexander Petrousky, 62, formerly of Athol, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005 in Port Tobacco, MD, from an aggressive fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Athol at 83 Sanders St., on Jan. 27, 1943 to Joseph A. Petrousky and Inez T. (Morandi) Petrousky, predeceased in 1975 and 1999 respectively. He attended public schools and graduated with the Athol High School class of 1960. He attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and earned a NS in chemical engineering in June 1964. He completed the U.S. Marine Corps Platoon leaders Class course at which time he was commissioned with the rank Second Lieutenant. He served in the United States Marine Corps from August 1964 to August 1967 and was released from active duty with the rank of Captain. He served a tour of 13 months in Vietnam. He received the following decorations: Air Medal with star, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Civil Actions Unit Citation Awards, and Sharpshooter Rifle and Pistol Badges. James was fully employed at the time of his death and since September of 2002 was employed in a position within the Department of Homeland Security at the Transportation Security Laboratory in Atlantic City, N.J. specializing in R&D for explosives detection. From August 1999 through September 2002, he worked as a member of the staff at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Prior to the position at the White House, he worked for the Department of Defense in technical support positions for counterterrorism and over 20 yeas in R&D at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Center, Indian Head, MD. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, American-Lithuanian Naturalization Club, International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 102, Vietnam Veterans of America North Quabbin Chapter, and the Charles County Democratic club. He traveled extensively, read widely, enjoyed boating and had a continued passion of studying working dogs. He leaves his wife of 39 years, Lee Corriveau Petrousky; one daughter, Wendy Lee Myers of Waldorf, MD; one son, Timothy James Petrousky of Laytonsville, MD; two sisters, Frances A. Burgess of Bradington, FL, and Catherine T. Rydell of Royalston, MA; and four grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at the Sacred Heart Church, LaPlata, MD, arranged by the Raymond Funeral Service at 5635 Washington Ave., LaPlata. A calling hour will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2005, from 10 - 11 a.m. in the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home. Burial will follow the calling hour in Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the Charles County Humane Society, Waldorf, MD. $(document).ready(function(){ });