Deacon Joseph S. Petrovich, 66

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 11 in Our Lady of Peace Church, Fords, for Deacon Joseph S. Petrovich, who exercised his ministry in Our Lady of Peace Parish. He died Nov. 8 in JFK Memorial Center, Edison, at age 66.

Formerly of Perth Amboy, Deacon Petrovich lived in Edison for the last 41 years. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Peace Parish.

Ordained to the Order of Deacon on May 14, 1977, Deacon Petrovich served out his ministry in Our Lady of Peace Parish for the past 26 years. He was a career school teacher for the Edison School System before retiring in 2000 after 45 years. Serving as his parish’s DRE (director of religious education) for Our Lady of Peace School, he also was in charge of the parish’s RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation of Adults) program.

He is survived by his wife Margaret (Kapitan) of 41 years; his son Robert Petrovich of Metuchen; his daughters Marianne Petrovich of Edison and Katherine Albanese of Barnegat; and, his three grandchildren Ryan, Paige and Evan Albanese.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Flynn and Sons Funeral Home, Fords. Interment was in Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Perth Amboy.

Filippini Sister Grace Polizzotto passes away at age 85

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 4 in St. Lucy Chapel, Villa Walsh, Morristown, for Filippini Sister Grace Polizzotto. She died Oct. 31 at age 85 in the infirmary at Villa Walsh. She taught in many schools including Most Holy Rosary School, Perth Amboy.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sister Grace was a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini since 1940. She made her religious profession in 1944, earning a bachelors degree from Columbia University and a masters degree from Fordham University.

In addition to Most Holy Rosary School, Sister Grace taught in Villa Victoria Academy, Trenton; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Jersey City; Sacred Heart School, Clifton; St. Joseph School, Lodi; St. Anthony School, Union City; and Dunmore Catholic High School, Dunmore, Pa., where she taught music. She also served as elementary school principal of Holy Rosary School, Jersey City; St. Nicholas School, Palisades Park; and St. Anthony School, Belleville.

Since 1979, she taught remedial reading at Our Lady of Peace School, Maywood, and mathematics at St. Peter School, River Edge. In 1995, she was semi-retired and continued to reside at Our Lady Queen of Peace Convent, Maywood.

She is survived by her sister Rosalie Fennekohl; two nieces, Grace Shoemaker and Claudia Klaus; and two grandnieces and a grandnephew.

Bridget Sloan, mother of Father Daniel Sloan

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 31 in Our Lady of Peace Church, North Brunswick, for Bridget Sloan. Mrs. Sloan is the mother of Father Daniel Sloan, pastor of Christ the King Parish, Manville. She passed away Oct. 28 in the Pavilion at Forrestal Village, Princeton.

Born in Kilkeel, County Down in Northern Ireland, she has been a resident of North Brunswick since 1937. She lived out her life as a homemaker.

Sloan was predeceased by her husband, the late George M. Sloan. In addition to Father Sloan, she is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Anthony P. Zalinsky of Ocean Township; three grandchildren, Thomas, Patricia and Paul; and two great grandchildren, Ryan and Adriana.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Bronson and Guthlein Funeral Home, Milltown. Interment was in Holy Cross Burial Park, East Brunswick.

Walter Joseph Ksiazak, brother of diocesan communications director

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 5 in St. Mary of Ostabrama Church, South River, for Walter Joseph Ksiazak. Ksiazak, who died at age 58, is the brother of Joanne Ward, director of the Office of Communications.

Born in New Brunswick, Mr. Ksiazak had resided in South River, moving to Sayreville 31 years ago. He was a communicant of St. Mary of Ostabrama Parish and a member of the Holy Name Society.

Before his retirement in 2000, he was employed by E. I. Du Pont Photo Products Division, where he worked as a chemical operator for 34 years. Ksiazak was a member of the Du Pont 10 year and 25 year clubs and a member of the International Chemical Workers Union.

Mr. Ksiazak was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of the Sayreville Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 4699, where he served on the post honor guard and as vice commander. He was also a member of the Sayreville American Legion post 211.

In addition to Joanne Ward, he is survived by his wife Delores of 33 years; his son Walter M. Ksiazak and his wife Christine of East Brunswick; his daughter Lisa Marie Wojtowicz and her husband Andrew of Glen Gardner; his granddaughters Paige Elizabeth and Morgan Taylor; and his brother Adam Ksiazak of Franklin Township.