John E. Pekarski

John E. Pekarski               “beloved husband, father and grandfather”

COUDERSPORT, PA---John E. Pekarski, 84, a longtime resident of Coudersport, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016 in Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, after a long illness.
     Born on October 25, 1931 in Costello, he was a son of John W. and Ella “Peg” Colegrove Pekarski.  On June 7, 1958 in St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport, he married Muriel M. Duell, who survives.
     He attended the Costello Country School and graduated from Coudersport High School.  Mr. Pekarski served his country as a military policeman in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  He was employed by the former Pure Carbon Company in Coudersport for 38 years, being one of the first employees hired by the company.
     John was a member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport and had also attended St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin.  He was a member of the Coudersport American Legion Post #192 and the Austin-Costello Sportman’s Club.  He was a life member and past fire chief of the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, serving as fire chief for 25 years.  He loved to hunt, fish and sing country music.
     Surviving besides his wife are two sons, Brian J. (Norma) Pekarski and Jerry D. (Casey) Pekarski, both of Coudersport; six grandchildren, Jennifer, Jes, Sabrina, Ciarra, Loryn, and Landin; a sister, Ruth Caldwell of Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.
     In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by two brothers, Charles “Bud” Pekarski and Robert “Bob” Pekarski.
     Family and friends are invited to call from 10 am to 11 am on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am with the Rev. James Campbell, pastor, as celebrant.    Burial will be in St. Augustine/St. Paul Cemetery, Costello.
     Members of the Potter County Honor guard will accord military honors on Thursday at the church.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to DaVita Dialysis Center, 665 East Main Street, Bradford, PA 16701.
     John’s family has entrusted his care to the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.