Carol J. Truss' Obituary
Carol Joan Truss (68), beloved wife, sister and aunt, passed from this life on February 14, 2026 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Carol was born on August 20, 1957 in Staten Island, New York to Rose and Arthur Truss. She was the youngest of 3 children. She was confirmed in the Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Carol graduated from Susan E Wagner High School in Staten Island, from Monmouth College in 1979, “number one” in her class, from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1982 with a Masters Degree in Psychology and from Rutgers University Law School in 1985 with a Juris Doctor degree.
On June 17, 1998 Carol married her love, and life partner, Alan Petitt. They shared the passions of skiing, golfing, boating and wine making. Carol was the past president of the Central Jersey Ski Club with whom Alan and Carol skied not only in North America but also France, Italy, and Switzerland. Carol played the piano and was fluent in Spanish having studied in Spain.
Carol was generous with her time with her nieces and nephew on special outings to hockey games and skiing trips to New England. She lovingly cared for her mother in the final years of her life.
Carol was the “HI” that rivals modern day “AI.” Carl Gross, her lifelong professional partner, stated unequivocally that her human intelligence (HI ) was above all others and that he owes his success to her intellect and dedication.
Carol‘s professional career started when she answered an ad for an “intelligent woman with typing skills“ that Carl had placed. From secretary, to Law Associate, to Partner, Carol was the brain and coordinator of all things GB (Gross and Bloom). Carol was the Managing Partner of Gross, Truss and Herstik, where she and her partner Neal Herstik became a pre-eminent boutique real estate Law Firm. Prior to her retirement in 2025 Carol was a partner in the Ansell, Grimm & Aaron PC Law Firm.
Carol was active in both County and State Bar Associations. She was elected President of Monmouth County Bar Association and served with distinction. She was admitted to the practice of law on Dec 10th, 1985 by the NJ Supreme Court and then by the United States Supreme Court.
Carol’s specialty was real estate, having received many accolades and awards including the Arthur S Horn distinguished Service award on January 27, 2015 for her extraordinary contribution to the development of real property law in the State of New Jersey.
Carol exemplified the highest standard of legal ethics. She was recognized by the Supreme Court in New Jersey for serving on the district fee arbitration committee.
Carol was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Rose Truss and her sister Kathleen Soltes. She is survived by her husband, Alan Petitt, her older brother William A. Truss and wife Susan, her nephews Jesse Soltes and Eric Truss and niece Kathryn Dannehy and five grand nephews, also,
Alan's family includes 2 nephews, 3 nieces, 7 grandnephews, and 3 grandnieces.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held in the not-too-distant future.
If Lieu of any gifts a donation may be made to Gift Of Life/Howies House at:
https://support.giftoflifehowieshouse.org/give/196189/#!/donation/checkout
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