Marine, formerly of Chicago Heights, dies after exercising
December 3, 2012 4:30PM
Petrongelli
Updated: January 5, 2013 6:16AM
A career Marine who grew up in Chicago Heights and graduated from Bloom High School died Thursday while exercising at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, Fla.
Master Gunnery Sgt. James J. Petrongelli, the son of Joseph and Lorraine Petrongelli, of Chicago Heights, collapsed as he finished personal physical training, according to the Jacksonville Daily News. Petrongelli was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Marine officials said the cause of death still is under investigation.
Petrongelli, 46, was an Ordnance Department chief assigned to Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron 26, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, New River.
He was promoted to that rank in 2008.
Petrongelli graduated from Bloom High School in 1984, according to his Facebook page.
During his nearly 30-year military career, he was deployed overseas multiple times, most recently in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.
Petrongelli also was an avid outdoorsman, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and an active member of the MCAS New River chapel, according to his obituary in the Jacksonville Daily News.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Annette, of Jacksonville; five children; and three sisters: Sally McDonnell, of South Chicago Heights; Alice Wolff, of Chicago Heights: and Jane DeBondt, of Chicago.
Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson Funeral Home of Jacksonville. A funeral service is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the MCAS New River Chapel. Interment will follow at Coastal Carolina Veterans Cemetery.
Contributing: AP, staff reports
