Nyack High School Class of '55

From the RC Journal News. Monday, Feb.18, 2002

PETRY, WALTER W. (WALLY)

Walter W. (Wally) Petry, Jr., a former Nyack resident and Ex-Chief of the Nyack Fire Department died on Saturday, February 16, 2002. He was 65 years old. Born in Nyack on April 30, 1936 to Walter W. and Helen Petry.  He attended the Nyack Public School System and graduated from Nyack High School class of 1955. Wally joined the Nyack Fire Department in 1954 as a member of the Nyack Fire Patrol, Inc. He served as Lieutenant, Captain and Commissioner before being elected by the members of the Department as Deputy Battalion Chief from 1965 to 1967, Battalion Chief from 1967 to 1969 and then as Chief of the Department from 1969 to 1971. Wally was employed by Orange & Rockland Utilities as a foreman for 31 years, retiring in 1988. After retiring Wally moved to Ellenton, Florida with his wife, Debbie. During the time Wally lived in Nyack he was a very active and dedicated member of Fire Patrol and the Nyack Fire Department.

Wally is survived by his wife, Debbie, one son, Walter W. Petry III of Cincinnati, Ohio, two daughters, Jean Marie and her husband, James Johnson of Central Nyack, NY and Beth and her husband, Scott Solak of Carmel, NY. Also three grandchildren, Michael, Matthew and Mackenzie Johnson, all of Central Nyack, one sister, Helen Dellolio of Nyack, NY and a brother, George of Central Nyack, NY as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm at the Hannemann Funeral Home, Inc. in Nyack, NY.

The Fire Department will hold a Firemantic Service on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm at the Funeral Home.  A Department Chief's Funeral will be held on Thursday morning at 10 am at St. Ann's R.C. Church in Nyack.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Donations in Wally's Memory may be made to the Rockland County Fallen Firefighters Fund, P.O. Box 494, West Haverstraw, NY 10993.

Back to Memorial page

Home