Alan Richard Petraske

Alan Richard Petraske, 84, passed away on November 6th 2024 in Brattleboro, VT.

Son of William Charles Petraske and Helene Bevington Petraske, he was born 1940 in Utica, NY and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire. A graduate of Phillips Academy Andover, Haverford College and University of California at Berkeley, Alan had a tireless enthusiasm for ideas and words, language and music. After raising his children in New York City, Alan settled in southern Vermont. Alan loved his return to New England, and marveled at the beautiful Wantastiquet mountain in his adopted home of Brattleboro.

Predeceased by his parents, brother Eric William Petraske, ex-wife Anita Kahn Petraske, and his beloved son, Sasha Petraske, Alan is survived by his daughter Alana Bevington Petraske (Jodie Wilson) and his grandchildren Orly Petraske and Remy Petraske, all of New York City; his sister Elisabeth Petraske Bertsch, nephew David Osterkamp (Debra Adler Osterkamp) and great-nephew Everett Osterkamp, all of Castaic, California; his nephew Stefan Petraske of Connecticut; his friend of 79 years, David Locke of Amherst, NH, as well as many cousins across the country.

Alan died with his daughter by his side. He had been managing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease with the help of his daughter and his best friend, David Locke.

Alan was always ready to help family, friends and neighbors with challenges and problems, whether editing a resume, or climbing up a ladder to prune some trees. He loved plants and was at home nowhere so much as in the garden – including the Greenwich Village rooftop garden he tended in the 1970s and early 80s. Alan had a creative mind and was a lifelong reader, writer and musician. He loved jazz, visual art and spending time with family and friends, in interesting conversation, playing cards, or enjoying the outdoors.

We were all lucky to have had Alan as father, uncle, cousin, brother, and friend. He was thoughtful, gentle and generous, and had a special talent for encouraging others to pursue their dreams – he conveyed a deep and abiding belief that you could achieve whatever dream it was. He leaves a lasting impact of love, creativity and generosity and will be sorely missed.

No immediate services are being planned. A private celebration of life will be held by the family.