Dr. John Anthony Petkus

Dr. John Anthony Petkus, beloved husband of Elizabeth Anne, passed graciously into eternal rest on April 18, 2006 at the age of 91. "Doc", as he was affectionately known by friends, was born in Brockton, Mass. on March 30,1915 to Adam and Ursula Mazeika Petkus. He received his B.A. from Boston College and his Doctorate from Hahnemann Medical School, Philadelphia, Pa. He interned at Good Samaritan Hospital, Allentown, Pa. prior to opening a family practice in Shohola, Pa. His medical practice was diverse and challenging, a model reminiscent of simpler times. In his private practice he provided obstetrics, delivering over 600 children, general family practice, where he was reknown as an excellent "stitch" and "bone" man, as many local residents who still carry his handiwork can verify, as well as an anesthesiologist at Callicoon Hospital, Callicoon, N.Y., Sunnyside Hospital, Port Jervis, N.Y., and Mercy/Saint Frances (Bon Secours) Port Jervis, N.Y. Doc retired from practice in 1993 and enjoyed retirement in Sun City Center, Fla. with his wife, Betty. He was an avid golfer, who garnered his first hole-in-one at the age of 86, as well as a seasoned licensed pilot with a passion for his planes and flight. He is remembered as a decent, gentle individual who devoted his life to serving his community. He was a devoted and loving husband and a compassionate and considerate father, whose entire family is gratefully honored for his continued love as a husband, father and friend. Dr. Petkus is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Petkus; a brother, Frank Petkus of Rockford, Ill.; children: Michael E. and wife, Hope, of Barryville, Donna M. and Kenneth J. of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Patricia Capobianco and husband, John, of Yulan, and Maureen Petkus of Barryville; grandchildren: Sonia Kidney and husband, Michael, of Yulan, Theresa Kunkeli and husband, Yancy, of Monroe, Mich., Matthew, David, Peter and James Patrick Smith of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill, Calif., Michael J. Petkus of Yulan, Adam, Lauren and Sophie Petkus of Martha's Vineyard, Mass.; great-grandchildren: Michael F. Kidney of Yulan, and Yancy, Katelyn and Erika Kunkeli of Monroe, Mich. Friends may visit at Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Barryville, N.Y., on Saturday, April 22, from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday, April 23 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Services on Monday, April 24 at 11 a.m. on April 24 at Saint Ann's R.C. Church, Shohola, Pa., followed by service at St. Ann's Cemetery, Shohola, Pa. Contributions in honor of his life to the following organizations of choice: Life Path Hospice "Pearl Team", 3010 W. Azeelle St, Tampa FL 33609; American Legion Ambulance Fund, 17 Collins Rd., Highland Lake, NY or Pike County Humane Society, P.O. Box 255, Milford, PA 18337. Arrangements were made by the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Route 97, Barryville, N.Y. 845-557-8010. For information or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com.