Never in his wildest dreams did Bill Petersen think his life would end up as it has now in his later years. His story is one of how precious life is and how suddenly it can be taken away. Bill attended Toms River High School, Glassboro State College, and shortly after married the love of his life, Janis Marzarella. Bill and Jan had one daughter whom they raised in their dream home in Toms River.

Both Bill and Jan taught in the Toms River school system for 30+ years, with Bill also coaching both baseball and soccer. He touched the lives of many of Toms River’s youth. At only 56 years of age, Jan passed away in 2008. Thereafter, Bill and his daughter Nicole lived and raised Nicole’s two children together. Nicole had another baby, a sweet little girl, in 2018. Nicole struggled with her plight in life and after several years of addiction, the demons that haunted her finally won. She passed away on June 7, 2021, at the young age of 35.

 Devastated, both emotionally and financially, Bill is trying his best to raise a 3 year old, an 11 year old, and a 14 year old by himself. Bill is 68 years old, living on his teacher pension.

Although the funeral home is being very patient, Bill does not have the means to pay for Nicole’s funeral. For the first time in his life, Bill finds himself a recipient of the generous food donation organizations around town. He loves and is so proud of his grandchildren, and never, ever complains about being left alone to raise them.

Bill is strong and upbeat, but surely loses many hours of much needed sleep worrying about how to pay the cost of sending his beloved daughter to her final resting place with dignity. As a community let's show Bill and his grandchildren how we can help him alleviate this latest financial burden so he can focus his financial resources on them. 

All the proceeds of this fundraiser will go to funeral expenses incurred.  Anything else will be set aside for the children's future.

UPDATE: Bill is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from everyone who has shared and/or contributed.  I am now in the process of setting up college funds for his grandchildren with all the proceeds that we take in at this time.  Please continue to share this and help us give them the brightest future possible.   Thanks you all again for the love and support you have shown Bill and his grand children!  It is amazing what a community can do!