Manville, NJ - Retired Police Chief, John "Jack" E. Petrovic, 74, entered eternal life peacefully after a brief illness on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at his home in Manville with loving family by his side. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, son of the late John and Charlotte (Reilly) Petrovic, he settled in Manville as a child.

Jack retired in 2005 as Chief of Police of the Manville Police Department after thirty-eight years of dedicated service, working his way up the ranks from patrolman to Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and ultimately Chief. He acquired countless accolades, awards, schools and promotions to include the FBI National Academy 111th Session-December 9, 1977, American Legion Post 304 Valor Awrad-1977, PBA Local #236 Valor Award-1977 (and former President), American Legion-Somerset County Outstanding Service Award-Line of Duty-1978, 1978 Officer of the Year-Knights of Columbus, St. Jude Council #6573, Somerset County Hostage Negotiations Squad Leader & Organizer-1983 to 2000, Somerset County Emergency Response Team Medal-1993, Valor Award-1996, Manville Police Dept. Medal of Honor w/cluster, Meritorious Service, Good Conduct (10 year), Chief's Achievement, Honorable Service, Military Service, Firearms-Master and a member of the S.C.E.R.T. Team.

Jack proudly served his county in the United States Army from 1959 to 1963 while stationed in Germany as a Military Policeman. In his youth Jack attended Bound Brook High School and graduated from Manville High School, Class of 1959. He loved playing basketball and football and was an avid NY Giants and NY Yankees fan. Jack coached the MYAL Pop Warner Football and Little League Baseball teams. He was a member of the Quarterback Club, a volunteer fireman and instrumental in the building of Manville's current Police Station and vehicle design. He loved spending time at his shore house in LBI. Time spent with his family was of utmost importance. Jack was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Manville.

Besides his parents, Jack was predeceased by his sister Dorothy Novicki.

Jack is survived by his devoted wife of fifty years, Barbara A. (Wasinda) Petrovic; loving children, John M. Petrovic and wife Cynthia L. Mische`-Petrovic of Bradenton, FL, Justine L. Petrovic-Kane and her husband Noel T. Kane of Red Bank, NJ and Jodi A. Aaron and her husband Robert J. Aaron of Meriden, CT. He will be deeply missed by his adored grandchildren, Ryan Kane, Reilly Kane, and Ryder Kane and Shane Aaron, Addison Aaron, and Brandt Aaron. His memory will be cherished by many nieces and nephews as well as countless colleagues and friends who looked up to him and respected him as a mentor.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 South Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835 on Thursday, March 5 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 6, beginning with a 9:00 a.m. funeral liturgy at Christ the Redeemer Parish (Sacred Heart Church) in Manville, followed by committal words and interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hillsborough. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack's name to the Manville PBA #236, PO Box 36, Manville, NJ 08835, the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 800-822-6344, or the ASPCA, www.aspca.org, 424 E. 92nd Street, NY, NY 10128-6804, 800-628-0028.