Luther (Big Luke) Petrosky

Luther (Big Luke) Petrosky

Luther (Big Luke) Petrosky, 91, a loving and devoted son, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed away on September 18, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Just like he dealt with all his experiences and hardships in life, Dad managed his illness with strength and grace and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible. In his final days as on any other day he was continually surrounded by his family which he adored more than anything in the world. 

Dad was the oldest son born in Laurel Run, Pa to Beatrice (Connie) Petroski. He had a brother Kenny who passed away December of 2020. Of course, we did not know Dad his whole life but we learned a lot about him when he would tell us stories of growing up in the “burra” as a kid talking about how tough times were but how much simpler they were than these days. He loved to frequently recant stories of having odd jobs in his younger days. 

One such job was at the mere age of 8 years old running for bottles of booze for the neighborhood men and being rewarded with a shot of whiskey each time. He would save his money from hauling coal or groceries or any odd jobs for a weekly trip to the movies downtown where admission cost 10 cents, popcorn 5 cents and a soda 5 cents. He would get excited talking about being able to stay for a repeat showing. He talked often of walking from Laurel Run to Public Square to buy a huge ice cream cone that was as big as a softball for a nickel. He talked of turning the seats on the streetcars and changing the cables and being rewarded with a barely used bike from the conductor. He told us stories about going to Louie’s store for soup bones so Nanny could make soup. He talked of living in the “black house” where the upstairs was so cold, they would hang a slab of bacon in the attic and he would sneak upstairs after Nanny went to bed and cut off a piece with his pen knife which he carried all throughout his childhood. 

He could still recall all the streets and occupants from Laurel Run. He loved telling the story of playing football in his brand-new school shoes and kicking the sole right off. He was afraid to go home because he knew Nanny didn’t have money to get a new pair. He snickered as he told us how the store manager laughed when Dad took them back to the store and said it just fell off…Haha. He ended up taking them home and fixing them himself. Dad was very resourceful growing up always working hard for what he needed and wanted. He recalled when times were really bad, he had to take the blades off his ice stakes to wear the boots to school and of having pants that you could read through. Dad’s penmanship was impeccable and he was always so proud of the fact that he would get the prize for being the best when he was in school from his teachers. Even though times were tough he smiled as he recalled his memories of growing up. His childhood memories were my favorite knowing that he strived to give us more than he had growing up.

He joined the Army at 17 years old and seeing combat in Korea. He was a machine gunner and Corporal in his platoon. He was wounded and sent to Germany to recover, once healed he rejoined his company and completed his tour of duty. He was later awarded a Purple Heart for his injury and courage. He told us stories of being a “loan shark” in the Army where men would come to borrow money from him and his Master Sergeant would stand with him at mail call to make sure he was paid. He hosted card games (for a price of course) for the men and talked how he provided refreshments and was able to get the occasional alcoholic beverage for the festivities. He spoke highly of all the great men he served with and was a proud Patriot. He was a member of American Legion Post #815 in Georgetown. 

Once he returned form the service he would tell us of his wild days…going out with the guys (Ernie and Jimmy) to the Laurel Run Club on top of the Giant Despair. Driving home “lit up” as he would call it in a car with minimal brakes and never really stopping to leave anyone out…they just opened the door andthey rolled out…ha ha. 

Dad worked as a well driller for years, in the local shoe factory, Central Slipper, asphalt worker and later in construction until his retirement. 

He would later settle down and marry the love of his life, our Mom, Bina Ashford on the 4th of July in the year 1959. They would go on to have 5 children: Helen, Kim, Luke, Scot, Kris. We were his greatest accomplishment along with our Mom to which he was dedicated and loving.Our Dad was a great mentor and friend and even as adults we still see him that way. Dad was always there for us through our ups and downs, or triumphs and failures and taught us to enjoy the simple things in life and enjoy every minute of it. Even though life was tough at times growing up our parents gave us so much more than monetary things. They gave us experiences and memories. They filled our lives with picnics, fishing, camping, weekly visits to aunts and uncles house, parties for all occasions, trips to Angela Park, drive in movies, just to name some of them. Weekends were rarely spent at home especially in the summer unless there were graduation parties, weddings, or christenings to which we always attended. 

Dad had a big spirit and a big personality. Through the years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, tending to his garden, playing Since with the relatives and spending time with his family. He enjoyed going to Brooks Bar, The Legion and Silver Queen and always stopping at Haystacks or The Pilot to grab a late-night bite. He loved music, especially those that made him want to dance. Mom and Dad loved to dance and if Mom didn’t want to dance, he would grab whoever was available at the bar. He would always pull us out of our chair at parties and try to get us to dance. We hated this…we cried and he would say dance and enjoy yourself there is nothing like dancing. 

Some of the favorite times remembered were Sunday nights, when all of us would gather in the living room around the television to watch The Wonderful World of Disney with ice cream, chips and pepperoni. On special nights Mom and Dad would cook up Porterhouse steaks and French fries…I can still taste the goodness.Our trips to Angela Park were fun for us kids but just as much for the adults. We would get there early, to get the best tables, and Dad would man the stoves to cook breakfast for everyone. As the afternoon crept in Dad would tap the barrel of beer to make sure the adults had a cold beverage for lunch. After hours spent at the park hot, sweaty, full bellies Dad would load us in the truck for the slow ride home. 

Our yearly week-long camping trips were exciting for everyone. Whether up the river, Lake Wallenpaupack or Hidden Lake the 2-week long preparations were excruciating but so worth it. It was on one of these trips that I, as a 13-year-old, was able to enjoy my first cup of coffee and sit around the campfire with the adults. 

Dad told us his fishing stories, his favorite hobby, how he, Uncle Bob and Uncle Louie would go up the Lack and compete for the biggest fish and how many limits they could catch. He would recall his favorite battles with some of the smartest fish, which pole he used (Black Magic) and what kind of bait he used and how long it took to reel him in. His prize fish was a 5 pound, 20 inch brown trout which he had mounted and proudly displayed in our living room for years. As a family we would find out where the stocking trucks would be and we would follow them on the weekend. Dad and the boys would help carry pails of fish to the water while the rest of us fed them corn form the shore. 

Dad taught Luke and Scot how to fish in unusual ways. He would tie a washer on their fishing line and have them practice casting in the field next to the house. He would also wrap the fishing line around their fingers as he pretended to be a fish on the line. 

When Kris started his paper route Dad would help him fold the papers and drive him from street to street delivering them in the wee hours of the morning for 6 years. 

Dad would chauffeur us on many, many trips to Skate-A-Way and would travel half way across town to pick up our friends. He was always ready to jump in the car to take us places and always at the ready to retrieve us when our activity was finished. 

Dad passed down to me the love of reading by telling me if you read you can be anyone or go anywhere. My earliest memories of reading were my Dad and I sitting on his chair while he was teaching me to read. I remember always seeing him with the newspaper, magazine or even a brochure from the mail.

Dad had a lifelong obsession with kielbasa (a true Pollack) so much so he would buy the meat, grind it, ring it himself and then smoke it. In its infancy he made many mistakes but would perfect his own recipe that he later handed down to his son-in-law Dave. Dad would make ring after ring for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving always passing them out to family and friends. He would even just smoke some for random days such as the 3rd week of June or the 1st week of October whenever he had a hankering for some. He would stop at any market in the valley that had smoked kielbasa just to try a ring and always critiquing their craft.

Dad loved to cook alone or side by side with our Mom. When we were younger, we didn’t appreciate his cooking but as we grew older, we couldn’t wait for Sunday dinner which could be Porchetta, Ziti, Lasagna, Meat Pie, Mac and Cheese and so many other delicious dishes. Dad had the love of eating as well but detested ricotta cheese, white chocolate, casseroles and cilantro.

Upon the birth of every niece, nephew, grandchild or great grandchild he would beam with pride, excitement and adoration. To see this big, strong, burly man holding the tiniest of babies one would laugh but knew he was the biggest teddy bear at heart. He loved his visits from his grandchildren: Nicki, Scot, Kristal, Cortney, Derrick, Kris, Amanda and the great grandchildren: Mackenzie, Kyle, Liam, Piper, Ollie, Octavia, Stevie Ray and Baby Girl Marsico (soon to make her arrival).

He loved watching his favorite teams: the Yankees, Steelers and NASCAR (Jeff Gordon was his favorite driver). I loved watching the Yankees with Dad whenever possible since it was him that got me hooked when I was 8 years old when he would watch the games sitting on the patio in the summer. Dad had an eclectic taste in music from classical, rock, country to Lady Gaga and everything in between. 

Dad, I love you and wish you didn’t have to go. I am going to miss seeing you sitting in your chair and watching Wheel of Fortune with me. I miss you already. Kiss Mommy for me. Love, Helen.

Dad you were a plethora of knowledge and wisdom and was forever going to be my Phone a Friend if I ever made it to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. If ever I was stumped for an answer to some random question, I could always call you up for the answer anytime of the day. Some of the best advice you had given me was always protect your credit because you will need it more than you think, set a good example for your children, and take the risk because the only risk you regret is the risk you don’t take.

Love Always, Kim

Dad you were always my best friend and always will be. I was so blessed when you accepted my offer to be my best man. And equally as honored when you offered your wedding band to me to marry the love of my life that you wore when you married the love of your life. You were a great provider and we never wanted for anything. Even though you had an exterior tough as nails your heart was as large as the 

Harvest moon. I will always miss you and will never forget our love. God Speed. Love Luke Dad, our love was as strong as the knots you taught me to tie when I went fishing. You passed on your love of fishing to me so much that when I am standing in the creek, I feel your warmth and presence. 

Thank you for being my mentor and my best friend. Love, Scot

Dad, when we asked for advice and you said to live life and if you want to go, go don’t let nothing hold you back, travel and enjoy life before it passes. Love, Kris and Tracy Grandpas have ears that truly listen, arms that always hold, love that’s made of gold. 

I will always miss talking to you and getting advice, your big bear hugs, watching Gunsmoke while eating lunch and just coming to spend time with you. I will cherish the moments I had with you especially when I was little. The smell of Sunday dinners, watching David the Gnome, dancing in the wooden clog and most of all, using your belly as a pillow to watch tv and pretend to be sleeping when mommy came to pick me up. 

I will always remember how you lit up and were so happy when I finally found the love of my life, Ryan, and how extremely happy he makes me. How you were so happy he became a part of our family. Then when we welcome Ollie into the world you and glowed and your smile was so big. I will remember how proud you were and how happy you were looking into his eyes and playing with his feet. Oh, how you loved baby feet! I only wish you could have met the new baby, but know you were so happy and excited for her arrival and will be looking down on her when she enters the world. 

You are missed already beyond what words can express. I take comfort in knowing you and Gram are back together, dancing, playing cards and laughing until you cry. Love you forever and always! Love Nicki, Ryan, Ollie and Baby Girl Poppy, I’m grateful for the years I had to spend with you, but I’m finding it hard to say good-bye now that you are gone. Saying good-bye is hard. I will never forget how much you loved me and how much I learned from you. We will miss you Poppy. We love you and will see you again one day. Love, Scot, Shauna, Lilly, Mackenzie and Kyle

Pop, I will always love you. Love, Kristal, David, Piper and Stevie Ray Pop, don’t worry I’ll bring the napkins for the sauce. We will miss you forever. Love, Cortney, Charlie, Liam and Ocatvia Thank you for being the best Pop anyone could ever ask for. I will always love and always miss you. Love, 

Derrick Sorry for the shittiest birthday gifts. Love, Buddha Pop, I’ll always buy a pack of saltines before I go onto the sea. I love you and thank you Pop. Love Sean I hope you are finally enjoying your fish sticks. Love, Liam Big Luke, you were the best Father-In-Law anyone could have. Thank you for the years of companionship. I could always come to you with my problems because you had those “old school values” that I was raised on. I enjoyed our hour-long talking sessions and watching Gunsmoke and The 

Andy Griffith Show. I will forever hold you in my heart. Love, Dave

Dad will be remembered not just by theses memories but by the countless lives he touched by his loving and generous spirit. 

Besides his mother he was preceded in death by his brother Kenny and his wife, Melvina (Bina) Petrosky. Forever grateful to him, he is survived by his adoring family, daughters Helen Petrosky, at home and Kim and her husband, Dave Nugent of Wilkes-Barre Township, Sons Luke Petrosky and his wife, Amy, Georgetown, Scot Petrosky, Georgetown, Kris 

Petrosky and his wife Tracy of Exeter; Grandchildren Nicki, Scot, Kristal, Cortney, Derrick, Kris Jr., Sean, and Amanda.Great Grandchildren Mackenzie, Kyle, Liam, Piper, Lilly, Ollie, Octavia, Stevie Ray and .The family would like to thank Commonwealth Home Health and Allied Services Hospice for their dedication, devotion and compassion in our time of need. 

As per Dad’s request there will be no services and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.