Simioan Petrovan

"Simioan Petrovan Obituary"

Daniela Petrovan, along with Simona, Sebastian Alexander, and Ovid Romanoschi, mourn the passing of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law, Simioan Petrovan, who left us on Saturday, June 28, 2025, after a cruel and courageous struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Simioan was 85 years old, just days away from turning 86.

Simioan was born on July 26, 1939, in Rozalvea, in the heart of the beautiful Maramureș region of Romania—a land he carried with him always, and which remained a living memory in his soul.

He was an energetic, curious mind—an open book—known for his honesty, unwavering loyalty, and the deep dedication he gave to his family and friends. A devoted husband for 58 years to his beloved wife Daniela, Simioan found joy and pride in being a father and, above all, a grandfather. His joy was contagious; his presence lit up every gathering, large or small.

Professionally, Dr. Simioan Petrovan was an extraordinary scientist and engineer. He left his native Transylvanian region to pursue a career in chemical engineering, in which he excelled. He rose to become a full professor and Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department at the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University in Iași, Romania. After decades of academic leadership and research in Romania, Simioan and Daniela moved to the United States to join their daughter. There, he continued his career with distinction, holding academic positions at Louisiana State University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was widely known for his dedication to both research and teaching, inspiring generation after generation of students across two continents. His legacy includes numerous scientific publications, thousands of hours in the classroom, and the respect and admiration of students and colleagues alike.

Simioan is deeply mourned by his wife Daniela, his daughter and son-in-law, Simona and Ovid Romanoschi, and by his cherished grandson, Sebastian Alexander Romanoschi. His loss is also felt by a great extended family and an extraordinary group of friends who knew and loved him for his kindness, warmth, and gentle wisdom.

He loved nature, found peace in its beauty, and remained rooted in the traditions and landscapes of his homeland. He was happiest when surrounded by his family, sharing stories, laughter, and the quiet strength of his presence. He also had a deep love of travel, discovering new places around the world and learning from each one of them with wonder and appreciation.

Simioan was one of a kind—steadfast, joyful, and deeply human. He will be missed forever by all who had the blessing of knowing him.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 2, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home, 17 S. Adelaide Avenue, Highland Park, NJ (https://www.jkfuneralhome.com/). The religious ceremony and interment will take place on Thursday, July 3, beginning at 10:00 AM at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church, located at 280 Main Street, South Bound Brook, NJ.

If you wish to honor Simioan’s memory you may send flowers or may also consider making a donation on behalf of Simioan Petrovan to support Parkinson’s research: Parkinson’s Foundation – https://www.parkinson.org/Donate or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research – https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate . Your generosity will help advance treatment and hope for others living with Parkinson’s.

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