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John Vanak Obituary
John J. "Punchy" Vanak, 83, of Nesquehoning, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, Nov. 26, in the Weatherwoood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Weatherly. He was the husband of Joan (Jeffery) Vanak. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in May.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Sherbin) Vanak.
He was first employed as a sergeant for the Lansford Police Department. He then went on to become a referee for the NBA and ABA basketball leagues for 30 years, where he refereed the 1977, 1980, 1981 and the 1985 NBA finals, the 1979 and 1984 All Star games and the 1966, 1970, 1972, and 1974 ABA All Star games.
John was also the owner of the Vanak Detective Agency for over 30 years.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Korean War on the USS Roosevelt.
He was a member of the former St. Michael's Catholic Church and the former St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, both in Lansford.
Vanak was a member of the FOP Lodge 13 and the Lansford AMVETS Post.
He loved all sports.
Surviving along with his widow are two sons, John, and his fiancee, Rose, of Lansford, and Mark, and his partner, Nancy, of Lake Hauto; a sister, Martha McNichol of Springfield, PA; a brother Joseph of Riverton, N.J.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Bernadine Pascoe.
Service: Private funeral service at convenience of family. Interment, St. Michael's Cemetery, Summit Hill. Arrangements by Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
STEPHEN CHAPLYNSKY
December 10, 2016
Vanak Family,
My sincere condolences to you and all. The entire Vanak family has always, in my judgement,been great, whenever they met anyone, especially me.
I've been wanting to be an NBA referee since age 16. didn't make it, but
John was the very 1st NBA referee to see me work. He took 3 pages of notes and handed them to me and told me "Work to get the work done"! I always believed John's last name began with a "V" for one reason and I regret not saying so sooner. "V"alues were the creed between Joanie and John.
Joan, Thank you so very much for answering the phone first, whenever I called and saying hello whenever we met at the Mall, when LUCK would strike us to meet.
May the entire Vanak Family be blessed, now and forever. All I can say is THANK YOU!!
Alessandro Pirisinu
November 30, 2016
I am so sorry for Joe, one of my heroes. I am an italian referee and he was one of my favourites refs of NBA... a bright example to follow.
May he rest in peace.
Joe Crawford
November 30, 2016
I knew John thru officiating - he was a terrific referee but he was a terrific man -- he helped me as a young official on and off the basketball court - I will miss our conversations about the old days - God Bless
Stan Carson
November 28, 2016
What a shock! I still remember when my mother and I moved to Kline Ave and I became one of the "Alley Rats." Punchy would throw passes to all the kids in the alley and we all had a wonderful time.
I always kidded Punchy that I gave him his first officiating job. I was in 7th grade, Punchy was a senior, and I organized a game between our 7th grade class and the Tamaqua 7th grade class. I talked "Skiggy Oriel" into coaching us and Punchy and John Yanchura were the referees. And, we played in the LHS gym!
I remember the times he would come to Los Angeles for a Laker game and he would invite me to the game as his guest.
My condolences to Joan, Mark, and John. We lost a wonderful man and soneone i considered a friend even though we didn't see each other very often.
Stan Carson (Ogozalek)
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Tony Zonca
November 28, 2016
We had some good times, my old friend, you an aspiring NBA ref, me a rookie sports writer. We had a few adventures along the way, running out of gas on Bugzie's Mountain at 2 in the morning on the way home from a game. At least we had a salami from The Zink to munch on. We remained close to the end. My one regret is that I didn't ring you up now and then to see how you were doing. You were a class act on and off the court and a true treasure of the Valley. You're in the biggest league now. I'm sure you're sharing stories with some old cohorts. I'll never forget you and will always cherish our times together.
Don Fredericks
November 28, 2016
What can I say that everyone else hasn't said. He was the best. He was one of the most respected man in town. Not just because of the NBA connection or as a Sgt. on the Lasford Police Dept. it was just being him. He treated everyone the same. Always had kind words for everyone. When the "MY" was in business and we all gathered around the whole corner here came Sgt Vanak to make sure in his own way that none of us were blocking the pavement so older people could easily walk past the crowd. If you didn't notice him or didn't move for some reason you would get a tap on your ankle with his club to move or else. My Dad and he would reminisce while being in the Star Lunch for a cup of coffee. Good stories were told. May God Bless you "Punchy". I'm sorry, since it's the last time to say goodbye, Mr. Vanak.
Lorraine Taylor
November 28, 2016
To The Family of Punchy Vanak,My most sincere sympathies on your loss. Punchy was a good friend to my brother, Bob Popik, and to our family. I will always remember his smile. He was well loved by allMay you find comfort and peace in cherished memoriesSincerely,Lorraine Karnish Taylor
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81 E. Catawissa Street, Nesquehoning, PA 18240
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