James “Jim” Petrolawicz

James Kirkendall Petrolawicz of Endicott, NY died much too soon on July 28, 2022 at age 39 as the result of a catastrophic brain hemorrhage. He was born August 25, 1982 to Diana Shearer Petrolawicz and Charles F. Petrolawicz of Endicott.
He was predeceased by his sister Victoria Michelle, and uncles Vincent John Petrolawicz and Richard Petrolawicz. He is survived by his fiancé Linda Amstutz and his parents Charles and Diana Petrolawicz of Endicott, his brother Joseph Petrolawicz of NYC, uncles Robert (Esther) Shearer and John (Gail) Shearer of Greene, NY, Dan Shearer of Clifton Park, NY, aunt Yvonne (Bill) Folck of Florida, several cousins, and many friends.
As a 2001 graduate of Union-Endicott High School, he was a member of the Tiger’s Pride Marching Band and performed in the school musical productions. Jim was long an active member of Boy Scout Troop 201 in Endicott. He was a passionate member of the U-E Technology Club, where he helped build & maintain the Solar Tiger electric vehicles (under the guidance of his beloved mentor Chuck Goodwin), which they raced from Staten Island, NY to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, and later from Cape Cod to Albany, NY.
He received both his Associates and Bachelor’s degrees in Automotive Technology from Morrisville State College (SUNY). While there, Jim volunteered multiple spring breaks with other SUNY students to help rebuild housing devastated in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
For the last 13 years, Jim had worked at the Miller Auto Team in Vestal, NY. He was presently gathering parts for the long awaited restoration of his mother’s 1968 Dodge Charger. He was known for his love of building and tinkering, and he was always willing to put his talents to work for those around him.
He was currently rebuilding a home for himself and Linda that had been damaged by fire, and was a constant presence of security and support for his parents next door and for his friends.
The sudden loss of Jim has been devastating to us all.
As many friends and family traveled great distances to see him in his last days, there will be no formal services at this time, but the family will have a memorial service and celebration of Jim’s life to be announced at a later date.