Phillip A. Petracca, also widely known as Filippo Neri in the Italian-American Radio and Entertainment World, passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Born in Newark in 1932, Mr. Petracca grew up in Calabria, Italy and returned to the United State shortly after WWII residing in Passaic.
In 1951 Mr. Petracca enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Italy and served as an Interpreter. During his active duty service, Mr. Petracca earned his United States Motion Picture Operator Class ”C” License and was honorably discharged in 1955.
After returning to the United States, Phillip met Violetta Todrani, an Italian born Opera singer who was widely known as Violetta Dei, also in the Italian – American Radio and Entertainment World. The two married in 1957 and settled to Piscataway in 1961. The couple went on to become highly popular Radio and Entertainment personalities in the United States Italian – American community. Phillip and his late wife performed together for decades at various venues throughout the greater NJ/NY area.
In addition, Phillip and Violetta anchored the popular Italian – American Radio, The Continentals in Manhattan which was aired throughout the United States.
Violetta passed away in 1999 and Phillip is also predeceased by a son; Phillip Jr. sisters; Ramona Nocera and Elizabeth Pugliese and brother; Joseph.
He is survived by his daughter, Loretta Petracca of Edison; son, Joseph and his wife Linda of Dunellen and two grandchildren, Joseph and Nina.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 9:45am in the Piscataway Funeral Home 18 Stelton Rd. Piscataway, NJ 08854 followed by a 10:30am funeral mass at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Piscataway.
Entombment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 20, 2017 from 4-8pm in the funeral home.
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