James S. Petrovich Sr.

Bartow- James S. Petrovich, Sr., 66, of Bartow, Florida, died Wednesday, May 26, 2010, of cancer at Winter Haven Hospital. Born July 11, 1943 in Danville, PA, He attended Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania where he played basketball. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from McCann School of Business & Technology. He dedicated 45 years to building his career in public service. He was an accountant with the State of Delaware Department of Corrections and later became an appraiser with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. In 1980 he moved his family from Montoursville, PA to Bartow where he accepted the position of Review Appraiser with the Florida Department of Transportation District One Right of Way Department. In 1982 he began working for the Legal Department in the Office of the General Counsel for District One, FDOT where he spent eight years specializing in condemnation and eminent domain law, coordinating all appraisal issues for Order of Takings and Trials. In 1996, he became the Deputy District Right of Way Manager-Appraisal of District VII FDOT. He was a proud grandfather and enjoyed his pets, as well as the outdoors including hunting, fishing and was known by many to be a fierce competitor on the tennis courts in Bartow. He was a member of Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Bartow. He is survived by his wife of 45 years: Mary Ann Petrovich of Bartow; son: James S. Petrovich, Jr. of Bartow; daughter: Deborah Garringer & husband Gilbert of Lakeland; brother: Stanley & wife Helen Petrovich of Wilmington DE; two grandchildren: Taylor Petrovich & Brooke Garringer, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. at The Church Of The Resurrection, 3720 Old Hwy 37, Lakeland. FL 33813. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com.