Charles F. Petrolawicz, more commonly known by his students as “Dr.P” lost his long battle with cancer on August 21, 2026 surrounded by his family.
He was predeceased by his parents Vincent J. Petrolawicz Sr. and Marion Jeannette Petrolawicz, brothers Vincent (John) Petrolawicz, Jr. and Richard Petrolawicz, infant daughter Victoria Petrolawicz, and son James Petrolawicz.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Diana Shearer Petrolawicz, son Joseph and partner Kathryn Olwell, and Jim’s partner Linda Amstutz. He is also survived by his sister Yvonne Folck and her husband Bill, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charlie was born at Ideal Hospital in Endicott on May 19, 1949. He graduated from the Manlius School in Manlius, New York in 1967. With the Viet Nam war raging, and having a low draft # in the old Birthday lottery, he went on to The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and was Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in May, 1971. During his military service as Admin Officer of a squadron of C-141 Starlifters in the Military Airlift Command, he was designated as the Travis AFB Administrative Officer for Operation Homecoming…the repatriation of the Viet Nam POW’s back to California in March, 1973. When he left the Air Force later that year, he had been nominated for USAF “Junior Officer of the Year” Air Force wide..
Though his post military plan was to return to Endicott and help his father manage his real estate business, he was ‘encouraged’ to attend law school. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas in 1978 and returned, at long last, to New York State. He practiced law in New York and Pennsylvania for many years until he found that his true calling was not in a courtroom, but in a classroom.
After teaching assignments at Ridley-Lowell, Elmira Business Institute, and the Norwich Campus of Morrisville State College, he found his home in the Business Dept. of SUNY Broome Community College where he remained until he retired in 2020. In 2021, he was awarded the designation of “Professor Emeritus”.
He was always active in his community, including U-E PTA, and U-E Band Boosters – dragging pit equipment of the Tiger’s Pride Marching Band over competition football fields throughout upstate New York. He was very active in leadership for many years with Endicott Boy Scout Troop 201, where he saw son Jim to Life Scout, and son Joe achieve Eagle Scout in 2002.
Though plagued with multiple medical issues and disabilities in later years, he never lost his sense of humor and his “Come Hell or High Water” attitude that saw him, and those around him, through many difficult days.
Charlie, you came, and you made a difference….. Rest well, Dr. P !
There will be no services at this time, but the family plans a celebration of life at a later date.