Joseph Petrolia of Yorktown, Virginia passed away on October 17, 2018 after a brief illness. He was 80 years old. Joe is survived by his two sons Joe Petrolia of Carmel, Indiana and Charlie Petrolia of Yorktown, Virginia, daughter in-law Anna Petrolia (Yorktown), granddaughter Brianna Petrolia (Yorktown), his two loving sisters Pat Dowd (London, England) and Janice Costa and her husband Phil (Hicksville, New York), sister in law Donna Ingrassia (Lyndhurst, NJ) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by Jeannette Petrolia, his wife of 51 years who passed away in 2014, his parents Charles and Cecelia Petrolia, brother Marty Petrolia and brother in laws Joe Dowd and Joe Ingrassia.

Joe Petrolia was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where he also met his wife Jeannette. Eventually the Petrolia’s moved to Hampton, VA where after a career in business, Joe became a government and history teacher at Ferguson High School. He also taught the same subjects in addition to drama at public and private schools in Florida and Ohio. During his teaching career, Joe coached basketball and softball teams at his school and also coached basketball at local ymca and rec leagues.

In addition to his family and friends, Joe had a passion for golf, basketball, acting and directing in theatre, politics and the New York Yankees.

The family will receive friends on Monday, October 22, 2018, from 2pm-4pm and again from 6pm-8pm at Bucktrout Funeral Home in Williamsburg. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 11am at St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg.