Robert M."Bob" Pekarski

Robert M. Pekarski     “beloved husband, father, and grandfather”

COUDERSPORT, PA---Robert M. “Bob” Pekarski, 85, a lifelong resident of Coudersport, passed away with his loving family by his side on Thursday, November 5, 2015 in Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, after a brief illness.
     Born February 17, 1930 in Costello, he was a son of John W. and Ella L. Colegrove Pekarski.  On June 8, 1951 in Coudersport, he married Bertha M. Mahon, who survives.
     He was a graduate of Coudersport High School, class of 1948.  Mr. Pekarski was a U.S. Air Force veteran having served from 1951 to 1955 at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California.
     Mr. Pekarski was first employed as a foreman at Pure Carbon in Coudersport for many years and later owned and operated Bob’s Sunoco in Coudersport.  He then drove tractor trailers for several years and then was employed by the former King Windows in Coudersport.  He later worked for Tom Chitester in Coudersport and retired as a school bus driver.
     Mr. Pekarski was a member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport.  He was a devoted life member of the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department having held the positions of president, vice-president, secretary, and fire chief.  He was a life member and past president of the Tri-County Firemen’s Association and was also a life member of the Pennsylvania State Fireman’s Association. In 2010, Mr. Pekarski received a letters of commendation from Governor Edward G. Rendell and State Fire Commissioner Edward Mann for his 60+ years of volunteer services.  He was a member of Potter Post #192 American Legion, Coudersport.  
     Bob enjoyed carpentry, woodworking, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  He loved to read westerns, especially Louis L’Amour novels and pilot stories.  
     Surviving besides his wife are four children, Karen S. (Stacy) Ruter, Linda M. Pekarski, and Judy L. (Roger) Bauer, all of Coudersport, and Robert M. (Tracey Hartzell) Pekarski of Turtlepoint; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, John E. (Muriel) Pekarski of Coudersport; a sister, Ruth M. (Paul) Caldwell of Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.
     In addition to his parents, Mr. Pekarski was predeceased by a daughter, Loretta M. Franklin; an infant son; and a brother, Charles J. Pekarski.
      Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2015 in the gathering space at St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. with the Rev. James Campbell, pastor, as celebrant.  Burial will be in Sweden Hill Cemetery, Coudersport.
     Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord full military honors on Monday.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, 171 Route 6 West, Coudersport, PA 16915; the Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association, 122 East Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915;  the Coudersport Area Library, 502 Park Avenue, Coudersport, PA 16915; or to St. Eulalia Catholic Church, 6 East Maple Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.
     Mr. Pekarski’s family has entrusted his care to the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.