Charles N. DeFrancesco

Charles N. DeFrancesco, 74, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Monday, March 1, 2021, at his home.

Charlie was born in Pittston, the son of the late Charles and Grace Falcon DeFrancesco. He was a graduate of GAR High School, Class of 1964, and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from King's College, Wilkes-Barre. He started working at Balester Optical while at King's College. In 1976, he began his career as Youth Development Counselor with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. He worked within the juvenile justice system counseling delinquent youths. Charlie retired as a youth developmental counselor supervisor in 2002.

Charlie was an active member of Holy Rosary Church, Wilkes-Barre, starting as an altar boy then a lector and cantor until its closure. He then became a member of St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre, trading spaghetti dinners for German Nights with enthusiasm. He was also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Hafey Assembly and a member of the Wilkes-Barre Council 302.

Charlie was a boy scout as a young boy and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1982. He taught several levels of boating safety classes and conducted USCGA UX vessel safety checks. Charlie spent time as the commander of the local Flotilla 13-03 and also held other offices. He had a great appreciation for the art of knots.

Charlie enjoyed sailing, summer weather, the beach, playing the guitar, shooting sports and movies. He also enjoyed all the crazy adventures his wife and daughters could persuade him with, as he was a "Trekkie" and lived by "To explore strange new worlds" and "Go where no man has gone before."

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, the former Bernadine A. Savitski; daughters, Donna Marie DeFrancesco, Wilkes-Barre; Christine Marie DeFrancesco Henriquez and her husband, Hector, Weehawken, N.J.; Angela Marie DeFrancesco, Lorris, S.C.; goddaughter, Rebecca Bene' and her husband, Steffen Sommerfeld, Millersville, Md.; sister, Terry Farias, Bonita Springs, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday from Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 a.m. in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.

Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Twp.

Friends may call from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Those attending the visitation and Mass are required to wear a mask and abide by social distancing requirements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Host for Hospitals, 215-472-3801, www.HostForHospitals.org or to St. Nicholas Church Building Fund, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

Condolences may be sent by visiting Charlie's obituary to www.natandgawlas.com.