William J. Vaverchak, Sr.

William J. Vaverchak, Sr., 96, of Carbondale, died Sunday October 1st after a brief illness.  His wife and love of his life, the former Dorothy Henry, died January 19, 2014, after sharing 64 years of marriage.

Born in Carbondale, son of the late Joseph and Sophie Sladicka Vaverchak, he attended Saint Rose Academy and was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale.  He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.  Bill was a proud veteran of World War II, having enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17.  During his service, he attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a certificate from the Aviation Machinist School.

Bill developed an exemplary work ethic as a young boy when after school; he would move shaker shoots for the miners at the local coal collieries.  After an honorable discharge from the Navy, his work ethic continued with employment at the Simpson Coal Company and Gillen Coal Company.  He also demonstrated his exceptional ability to operate heavy equipment by working on projects that included construction of Interstate 81 and the Prompton Dam.  He was then hired by the Northeastern Technical Institute as a heavy equipment –tractor trailer driving instructor.  Following his long tenure with NTI and prior to his retirement at age 93, he was employed as an instructor and administrator for Trans American Technical Institute, Jermyn.  As an instructor, he believed the old adage that “if you give a man a fish he eats for the night; but if you teach a man to fish, he eats for his life.” He knew the meaning of gratitude and appreciation and found enjoyment in simple pleasures like baseball, hunting, fishing, and a cold beer.  He was a good man who loved his family, lived life on his own terms, and he did his best.  He was also a member and past president of the Carbondale Pre Teen Park Association, where he had the opportunity to be the proud manager of both his boys on the Joe Holt Giants.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Lyons and staff, Gina, his home health nurse, Jean Marie, his home health physical therapist, Dr. Samir Pancholy, Dr. Joseph Shovlin, Dr. Martin Bifano, Dr. Kohn, the staff at Viewmont Medical, Geisinger CMC, Forest City Rehabilitation Center and Aventura at Creekside for the excellent care provided to Bill.

Surviving are two sons: Robert Vaverchak and wife Frances Kulkosky Vaverchak, Jermyn and William Vaverchak, Jr. and wife Kathleen McGraw Vaverchak, Carbondale; a grandson: Robert Vaverchak and wife Shareen, Basking Ridge, NJ; two beautiful great granddaughters: Radhika and Meghana Vaverchak; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was also preceded in death by five brothers: Joseph, John, Eugene, Herbert, and Jerome Vaverchak; and a sister; Martha Muczyn.

The funeral will be Saturday October 7th from the Brennan & Brennan Funeral Home, Inc., 55 Lincoln Avenue, Carbondale, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.  Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.  Friends may call Friday, from 3 to 6 pm.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William J. Vaverchak, Sr., please visit our floral store.