Anthony John Petaccio, age 83, of Seaside Park, NJ passed away while being surrounded by his two children; sister; cousins, Andrea and Adrianna; nephews, Jody, James, Gary, Victor, Tim, David,Tim, Thomas, Luca, John Yedman III, John Kearns, Jr., Danny Boy; and nieces, Paula, Jolene, Christina, Vita and Victoria on Friday, November 3, 2018.

Anthony was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, spending summers in Seaside Park, New Jersey. He married Mary Jewel Punosevich in 1959, and had two children Brian and Tracey, both born in Philadelphia. He moved his family to Delran, New Jersey in 1971, while continuing to spend summers and weekends in Seaside Park. In 1987 he became a permanent resident of Seaside Park, while continuing to work at the Rose Garden, and part time residing at the home in the Rose Garden Flower Shop where he was born. Anthony studied at Frankford High School, attended and graduated high school from Valley Forge Military Academy. After graduating from Temple University with an Associate Degree, he began working with his mother Josie and brother John at the business his father Dominic started in 1925, The Rose Garden Flower Shop. The Rose Garden was the best and oldest flower shops in the city, family run for ninety years. Anthony and his brother John worked at the flower shop until 2014. Anthony was a connoisseur of fine food, always knowing where the best restaurants were located and what their specialties were. Over time, he became an excellent cook and could often be found at the Italian Market and Reading Terminal Market, procuring the ingredients for his gourmet recipes. Neighbors, friends and family knew that they could always visit the Rose Garden for a delicious meal and a good joke. Anthony was also an audiophile and took pride in having the finest stereo equipment and an unmatched record collection. He was also passionate about cars and woodworking.

Anthony is survived by his children, Brian Petaccio, Tracey Keith, brother, John Anthony Petaccio sister, Arlene Yedman, grandchildren, Carmen Petaccio, Andrea Leahy, and Jesse Keith, aunts, Dolores Polcino and Geraldine Longo, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Friday, November 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM immediately followed by a funeral service, both at the Mount Laurel Home for Funerals, 212 Ark Road, Mount Laurel, NJ. Final disposition will be private.