Keith John Petrosemolo, 50, of Leonardo, formerly of Shrewsbury, passed away July 7, 2023, at the JFK University Medical Center in Edison after a short illness. He was born Oct. 18, 1972, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Keith was accepted by the Sharing Network of New Jersey as an organ donor and all of his major organs went to recipients on their waiting list from New Jersey and beyond. He was honored by hospital staff lining the corridors to the operating room in a traditional “honor walk” with his wife and parents by his side.
Keith was the husband of Lovelia Regaldo, a native of the Republic of the Philippines. They were married in 2017 and lived in Leonardo since 2022. He was the son of Art and Tina Petrosemolo, formerly of Shrewsbury and retired in New Holland, Pennsylvania.
Keith was a United States Coast Guard veteran and served in Sitka, Alaska, aboard the Woodrish. He was schooled as a HVAC technician and worked for a decade at AJ Perri Heating and Cooling in Tinton Falls before changing careers in 2021 to work fulltime in logistics with his wife at the Amazon Fulfillment Center warehouse in Edison.
Keith was an avid sailor for more than a decade at the Monmouth Boat Club and served for several years as crew for Capt. John Luard in local, regional and national Flying Scot regattas.
Keith and his wife Lia traveled extensively during the past three years as he introduced her to her new home, visiting sites from California to Maine.
In addition to his wife, Keith is survived by his parents, his wife’s parents, Gerardo and Ma Estela Regaldo, a sister Gerise Regaldo, a son Carl, 14, and daughter Mia Nicole, 19, all of General Santos City, Republic of the Philippines.
Keith’s wife, parents and friends said their final goodbyes to Keith at a Roman Catholic funeral Mass celebrated by Rev. Rene Pulgarin at St. Joseph’s Church in Keyport July 11. The Petrosemolo family owes a debt of gratitude to the NJ Sharing Network group of volunteers and health care partners who operate 24/7/365 to recover and place donated organs and tissue. They support donor families, honor the legacy of those who gave the gift of life and raise awareness about the power of organ donation and transplantation. To honor Keith, you may donate to the organization at njsharingnetwork.org.
The article originally appeared in the July 13 – 19, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
