Obituary of Joan Petrella

Joan Petrella of Remsenburg died peacefully on August 17th, at age 69.  She was the beloved daughter of the late Dominic and Anne Petrella of Oyster Bay.   

A graduate of Stony Brook University (BA, MLS),Joan was widely known for her mesmerizing soprano voice.  She concertized throughout the United Statesand in Rome, Italy, where she studied opera and taught English for several years.  She was a dedicated teacher of General Music and ESL at Eastport South Manor, Shoreham-Wading River, and Hampton Bays Schools.  She also taught voice and piano privately.

A highly creative person, Joan’s other interestsincluded cabaret-singing, writing, drawing, knitting, and jewelry-making.  She had a kind, warm, generous nature and a keen sense of humor.  She adored children, animals, opera, and all that is music.

Joan is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Richard Vultaggio, and their children, Lorraine and Richard L. (also a godchild); cousins, James and Barbara Reams, and their children, Christopher and Lauren; aunt, Doris Petrella; godchildren, Emanuel Abate and Tess Rubsamen; many cousins from the Abbate, Abate, and Petrella families, numerous friends, and her beloved dog, Cabeza.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 29th, 10:30 a.m., at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church in Oyster Bay, followed by interment at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Autism Speaks, or East End Arts in Riverhead.