Mary A. Petranto, 96, of Seaside Park and formerly of Trenton , passed away Thursday surrounded by her family. Born in Trenton, she was a 1944 Graduate of Trenton Central High School. She also attended Rider College. Mary managed the optometric practice of her late h usband, Dr. Russell R. Petranto, until his death in 1994. Caring deeply for young people, Mary later worked in the Registrars 's Office of The College of New Jersey. She also was a "Rosie The Riveter" , working to build Avenger Torpedo Bombers at Eastern Aircraft in West Trenton toward the end of World War II. An accomplished cook, Mary prepared lavish Italian meals for her large family, and anyone who stopped by to visit, with ease. She loved spending time in the sun, breathing the salt air at her beloved Seaside Park home . She was a former parishioner of St. Mary's Cathedral in Trenton.

Daughter of the late Michael and Ida (Valeri) Voacolo , she was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Russell R. Petranto and her brothers Michael and Ronald Voacolo. She is survived by her children, Valerie Malone and her husband Joe, Dr. Michael Petranto and his wife Lynn, Jessica Smith and her husband Scott , Iris Hill and her husband John, and Dr. Russell David Petranto ; 8 grandsons, Joseph Malone and his wife Shelley, Michael Malone and his wife Evelyn, Louis Barman and his wife April , Jason Barman , Daniel Barman , Dr. Russell John Hill , Grant Hill and Russell Robert Petranto ; her granddaughter Ella Marie Petranto and her great grandchildren William Malone , James Malone , Madelyn Malone , Lucy Malone and Alan Barman . She is also survived by her sister, Donna Patz and her brother-in-law, Edward Petranto and his wife Angela , sisters-in-law Mary Lou Voacolo and Ge r ri Voacolo as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 20, at The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 151 North Warren St, Trenton. Private Inurnment wi ll be held at St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum in Hamilton at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary's memory to the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad, 61 J Street, Seaside Park, NJ 08752. Arrangements under the direction of Peppler Funeral Home, Allentown.