Harold "Hal" Wayne Petschke

Harold “Hal” Wayne Petschke passed away on May 19th, 2024 after a brief illness. He was born on July 17th, 1948 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was the son of the late Harold “Happy Hal” Petschke and the late, Sylvia (Green) Petschke. Hal leaves the love of his life, his wife of 31 years Marianne; his three children, Jaclyn (Zach), Christopher, and Kimberly (Brandon), and his wonderful granddaughter Madi; as well as his stepson, Jeff DiMattia. He was predeceased by four older half-siblings, June, Harold “Sonny”, Wayne “Buddy”, and Carolyn. Hal graduated from East Windsor High School in East Windsor, CT and attended the Porter School of Engineering Design where he studied Mechanical Engineering before being drafted into the US Army in the fall of 1969. He served for two years while stationed at Fort Carson, CO, serving as Company Clerk (a real-life “Radar O’Reilly”). Hal worked in technology at Aetna Life and Casualty Company in Hartford, CT for 18 years, before moving into a series of Technical Software Sales organizations until he retired at age 68. After retiring, he landed his dream job, working in the Pro shop at Hog Neck Golf Course. He loved every minute spent at the course with his co-workers, and he especially loved when the Special Olympics golf team came to play. Their enthusiasm and love of the game touched his heart. Hal was twice divorced, first from Laura Goss, then Diane Lieskovsky with whom he shared his three children. He always said the third time was a charm, and married Marianne in 1992 at the foot of the Statue of Liberty, followed by an impromptu wedding reception with friends at their favorite Irish pub in Hell’s Kitchen. Hal loved spending time with his family, golfing, traveling, visiting wineries, and playing online wargames with his long-time friends. His favorite music was anything by The Eagles, Bob Seger, Supertramp, and The Rolling Stones. He rode out the highs and lows with his beloved Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and Dallas Cowboys. An unfulfilled love (radio broadcasting for which he attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting many years ago) never happened, but he always loved the idea and remembered fondly working as an intern at a local radio station in Hartford, CT. Some of his happiest times were of family beach vacations to Sandbridge, VA with his wife and children, and annual “Game Weekends” and “Wine Weekends” with friends. Hal and his wife Marianne got to travel all over the world together and enjoyed most the trips to Europe, sailing vacations with friends, and long weekends in Key West, FL. Hal enjoyed his past volunteer work with the Greater Hartford Jaycees, handling Gallery Control at the Greater Hartford Open Golf Tournament for 15 years in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He was thrilled to meet Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, and a host of other pro’s & celebrities. When Hal and his wife Marianne moved to Easton, MD in 2009, he found many new friends and more volunteer work with the Avalon Foundation. He spent many hundreds of hours supporting the Avalon over the past 15 years, ushering for shows in the Avalon Theater, volunteering for the annual Plein Air Art Festival, and acting in annual holiday stage plays produced by the Avalon. His most-recent roles were Mr. Greenway in “Elf The Musical”, and beloved General Waverly in “White Christmas”. Hal loved the time spent on these events and cherished the friendships he and Marianne made through volunteering. Memorial donations may be made to the Avalon Foundation, Inc 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601 or to Talbot Humane 7894 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601. A celebration of Hal’s life is being held on June 22nd at 2 PM at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD.

Harold "Hal" Wayne Petschke

July 17, 1948 - May 19, 2024