Thomas C. Bavaria

Thomas Carmon Bavaria, 95, of Pen Argyl, formerly of Wind Gap, passed away Thursday, August 11, 2016 in St. Luke's Hospice House, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Josephine Denardo who passed away February 23, 2013. Born in Wind Gap, he was the son of the late Joseph and Giaconda (Tarsi) Bavaria. Tom was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Pen Argyl, where he served as a Lector for many years. He also proudly helped establish the St. Joseph Parish Ministry which feeds and clothes needy families throughout the Slate Belt. Tom graduated from Pen Argyl High School in 1939 and later from Ryder College in 1949. He was a proud member of the Cheerleading squad at Ryder. He worked over 30 years for the Army Airforce Exchange System first as an Accountant and later as a General Manager for Army facilities in Nuremberg and Munich, Germany and throughout Florida. Upon retiring at an early age, he began a second career focusing on the things that he truly loved. He worked as an Accountant for Bi-State Construction in Easton, served as a bus driver in the Pen Argyl Area school district, and worked tirelessly at the Church Ministry. He also proudly served as Mayor of Wind Gap for two terms from 1985 - 1993 and helped organize the Wind Gap Centennial celebrations. Tom was also a member of the Fr. Denisco Council of Knights of Columbus and was awarded Knight of the Year in 2010. Almost everyone in the Slate Belt knew Tom. He often walked through town well after he retired as Mayor and people still warmly greeted him with "Hi Mr. Mayor!" He was forever young at heart, generous to a fault, and enjoyed travelling. His family adored him. He is survived by his son, Thomas A. Bavaria and his wife, Ann of Kutztown, one grandson Thomas A. Bavaria Jr. of Philadelphia, brothers Edward of Sarasota, Florida and Joseph of Alexandria, Virginia. He was predeceased in death by brothers, Albert, Julius "Boots", Ernest and sister, Linda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at 11 AM at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, 300 W. Babbitt Avenue, Pen Argyl. There will be a visitation beginning at 9 AM until 10:45 AM Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in in St. Elizabeth's Cemetery, Pen Argyl. The Ruggiero Funeral Home, www.ruggierofuneralhome.com, Pen Argyl is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered to St. Joseph's Ministry, C/O the funeral home, 126 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Pen Argyl, PA 18072.