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March Challenge #2: Celebrating a Member That Cared

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Real Estate Agent with 203-206-0754

March Challenge #2: Celebrating a Member That Cared

This is entry 1 for the March Challenge hosted by Patricia Feager  and Lew Corcoran and it is a testimonial to a true friend to all he touched and a source of knowledge and inspiration to all that cared to know him.

Joe Petrowski was the founder of Right Trac Financial Group in Manchester CT and Florida.

Whie not of the early members of ActiveRain, only starting in May of 2011, he jumped in with both feet and was a prolific blogger, commenter and offered up highly informational posts on how to get a mortgage, where to get a mortgage when no one wanted to help, and had resources well beyond corporate loan officers. 

But he was a lot more than that.

His quiver was always loaded and his tank always full and was the first to let all know he was there for the next Meet-up, and on the phone to let others know they were expected.

On more than 1 occasion, Joe would call myself or George Souto  not to ask but let us know where we were going next.

He called us the 3 Amigos and that big laugh of his defied one to argue.

Joe was a friend to all, and I doubt there were many that called him for mortgages that were denied.

Joe was also very appreciative of the people that gave him referrals and was quick to send someone your way when he got a call that justified help.

Joe left a large gap in the lives of many and I'm sure his family thinks of him daily, as it would be hard not to.

I was one of the fortunate ones to have met him, and to be able to call him a friend, and I am sure he thought of me that way as well.

After all, being one of the 3 Amigos, carries a lot of obligations.

 

March Challenge #2: Celebrating a Member That Cared

Posted by

 

Edward (Ed) Silva

 Retired Real Estate Broker

 

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C:  203-206-0754
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Comments(14)

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Patricia Feager
Appraisal Review Board, Denton County, TX - Flower Mound, TX
Licensed to April 2027

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 - Celebrating Joe Petrowski's life brought his spirit back to ActiveRain. Your words bring his memory back to life for he was very much a big part of AR because he had a very big heart! Along with being very knowledgeable, more than many other lenders who couldn't get the loan approved, Joe always knew, there's more than one way to get a loan approved. Joe had the ability to create success when others couldn't. 

The pictures you shared are so precious. Joe stayed involved and his interactions will always be appreciated. He really was a good old Joe with a very positive spirit! He really is missed and we are so lucky to have been a big part of his life.  

Mar 09, 2026 02:35 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Thank you Patricia Feager  for the kind words. He was an exceptional person and  very smart lender with a lot of resources. 

He is also an example of the strength that AR brings, as his office is 80 miles away and we would have never met if not for ActiveRain, and those that are familiar with his posts would have never read a bit about him.

Mar 10, 2026 08:47 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Ed, I commented on Joe's posts, and he seemed very knowledgeable, but really never got to "know" him.   Great post for your friend.

Mar 09, 2026 03:01 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner   Thank you, very few of us would have known anything about him if not for ActiveRain

Mar 10, 2026 08:48 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 Thank you for sharing this story. People like Joe leave a legacy through the relationships they build and the help they give others.

Mar 09, 2026 03:05 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Lise Howe  to read the success stories he posted, he touched a lot of lives and created opportunities where others were not able to help.

Mar 10, 2026 08:49 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ed- the strength of Joe's legacy was that many (including me) never had the opportunity to meet him, and yet felt his presence when he blogged and commented. I love the idea of you, George Souto, and Joe as the three Amigos. 

Mar 09, 2026 05:11 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 ,

I always enjoyed Joe Petrowsky's post and followed him daily. I'm glad to hear you were his friend and spent time with him. Such a shock when he was taken so early!

Mar 09, 2026 06:08 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

What a heartfelt tribute to Joe Petrowski, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754, and it’s clear how much this member meant to you and so many others. Your stories paint a warm picture of someone who showed up with heart and lifted people in ways that linger long after. Thanks for sharing this reminder of what real connection looks like in our community.

Mar 10, 2026 03:13 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Ed. I was another lucky Rainer who met Joe for lunch thanks to Conrad Alan. We were joined by Norm Padula. Joe was so full of energy and commitment to help others it was amazing. He will not be forgotten. Enjoy your day.

Mar 10, 2026 04:37 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Aw, what a wonderful post/tribute to Joe. Thank you.

Mar 10, 2026 05:24 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Ed... you were lucky to be part of the Three Amigos in Connecticut. I've always been sorry I never got the chance to meet Joe in person.

Mar 10, 2026 06:59 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I never got the chance to know Joe Petrowsky very well, but I certainly have heard a lot of good things about him.  This is a very nice choice for the challenge!!!

Mar 10, 2026 07:46 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Author, Golfer, Traveler, Retired, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Ed,
Congratulations, your post is featured in the BananaTUDE group

Mar 10, 2026 09:57 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Ed as one of the other 1/3 of the three amigos, Joe was everything you said.  He was not only always up for an AR MeetUp he would also do after work networking events, which I attended a couple of with him as well.  Joe was a competitor, BUT we often referred clients to each other.  Joe was a friend, and I miss the times the three of us spent together.

 

Mar 10, 2026 12:36 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

George Souto  he ws a very giving person, and had a sense when things weren't going right.

I couldn't find the post from the Meet-up we attended in Rhode Island and we were the only people that were there aside form the member that sponsored the event.

Mar 11, 2026 04:48 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754  I remember Joe Petrowstky . We shared the same birthday, July 18th. I never met him, but read his posts, and I was sorry to hear of his passing.

Mar 11, 2026 02:13 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Ed:

Thank you for a wonderful tribute to Joe and all that he brought to the community through his blogging and participation. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet him in person which I regret.

Jeff

Mar 14, 2026 12:52 PM