George Ambrose Petticrew

APACHE JUNCTION - George Ambrose Petticrew, born Jan. 24, 1923, son of Mary Magdalene and James Fred Petticrew, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. He attended the University of Dayton Ohio prior to enlisting in the Navy where he served as Lieutenant JG during World War II, with honorable discharge in 1946. He continued his studies at the University of Illinois earning a Masters degree in electrical engineering and continuing into post graduate studies and a professorship. In 1953 he moved to Arizona and homesteaded a property in Apache Junction, pursuing his passions of prospecting, flying, and rock hounding. He took a position with Motorola as project leader for a team of engineers developing communications equipment for the Mercury, Apollo, Voyager and other NASA space missions from which he subsequently retired after 33 years. George will be warmly remembered always, he was a man of many passions, with a deeply rooted love of God, family, learning and the wonders of the world around him. He was an inspiration to all who knew him, possessing a great depth of patience, knowledge and generosity. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Eileen; his sister, Mary Haskin; his five children, Mark Petticrew, Janice Chartier, Karen Adair, Keith Petticrew, and Barry Petticrew; and nine grandchildren. Services were held at St. George's Catholic Church in Apache Junction on Friday, Aug. 13, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and funeral Mass at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Help for the Needy, St. George Catholic Church, Apache Junction. Arrangements were entrusted to At Season's End Mortuary, Apache Junction, Arizona (480)982)7721.