SEWICKLEY — Basil M. Castner, 91, of Sewickley, passed away on Feb. 4, 2019, at his residence.
He was born in Dupont, a son of the late Andrew and Kathryn Harris Castner. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years from 1945 to 1949 and was stationed in China after World War II. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1958 where he attained a B.S. degree at Trenton State College in 1968 and earned his M.A. degree. He was an educator in the Plumsted Township School District in New Egypt, N.J., both as a teacher and a principal from 1958 to 1993. Basil lived in Trenton, N.J., from 1958 until 2018.
He was a member of St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston. He was also a member of the VFW Post 4909 and AMVETS Post 189, both of Dupont; Elks Lodge 2495 and the Moose Lodge in Sarasota, Fla., where he wintered.
One of his greatest joys was traveling and cruising around the world. He also served as an usher at the Holy Angels Church in Trenton, N.J.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Check Castner; companion, Claire M. Anchinsko; sister, Yolanda Kridgen and her husband, Joseph; and brother, Daniel Castner.
Basil is survived by his brother, Henry Castner and sister, Nadene Choynacki, both of Wilkes-Barre. Also surviving are his nephew and godson, Joseph Kridgen and his wife, Dr. Pamela Kridgen, of Pittsburgh; and niece, Kathryn Cheney and her husband, Brett, of Lake Orion, Mich.
The Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, in St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church, 205 N. Main St., Pittston, to be celebrated by the Very Rev. Gary J. Mensinger. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Everyone attending is asked to go directly to the church Saturday morning.
Military honors will be conducted by the AMVETS Honor Guard of Greater Pittston.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Baloga Funeral Home Inc., 1201 Main St., Pittston (Port Griffith). To send an online condolence please visit www.balogafuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
It does not seem possible that it has been four years since my colleague and dear friend, Basil left this world to be with our Heavenly Father. Basil was a wonderful man in every way. I became acquainted with him when we worked together at Plumstead Township school in New Egypt, NJ. He had been a teacher there for some time before I arrived. Later, Basil became the Principal. Wherever, he was became a happy place. He was so good with the students. I was the music teacher there in New Egypt for twenty-one years. Often while I was teaching, he would pop into the classroom and give the students one of his 'pep' talks. He pointed out to the students that they had so much to be happy about. He motivated them to be happy and not feel glum. It was exactly what I was doing in my teaching and I think we were so often on the same page. Those glorious years came to an end and after retirement, we both found out that we landed in Florida. Basil never changed. I never heard him complain about anything. He loved music and found places where he could sing and express his joy for living. We occasionally went out to dinner and he was introduced to my friends who were invited to share his company. He kept his home in Trenton in the summer months but I think he loved his time in Florida most of all. In his final days he went to live near his nephew. But he was so grateful for living
a long life and one of his favorite songs was Sinatra's "My Way" which he sang many times. God Bless You, Basil! I hope you are an angel completely at peace and surrounded by love. Thanks for the memories!
Your friend, Dottie P.S. I will soon be 82 and loved teaching with all my heart! I still play the organ in church. God has been good to me.
Dorothy J Feldman
Work
August 18, 2023
Thinking of your family I am 61 years old today and I still can remember, Mr. Castner...I smile just thinking of him! I met him as a 5th grade student at New Egypt Elementary School where he taught for many years Keeping your family in my thoughts
Lori (Borden) Wilkins
Student
February 6, 2020
Started teaching with Mr Castner at the helm and have very fond memories of those years.
Rest in peace Basil
Stephanie Seeds
February 27, 2019
Rest in Peace Mr. Castner, you touched many young lives during your many dedicated years of teaching in the New Egypt Schools...Mine being one of them..
Lori (Borden) Wilkins
February 27, 2019
Prayers for the Caster family. Remember him fondly. I had 5 older sister's and brother's, by time I attended New Egypt he was on first name basis with my mom. RIP
Mary Gaudreau Sharpless
February 27, 2019
Rest in peace Mr. Castner. You've touched so many lives in your years at New Egypt School.
Carole Moore
February 26, 2019
My condolences to Basil's Family. I taught with him for several years at New Egypt. We
had many good times with Basil and Annie.
Jack and Gail Pallen
February 25, 2019
I have fond memories of Mr. Castner. He was my favorite teacher at New Egypt Elementary school. Such a nice person. Made that year fun and interesting for us all. Prayers of Peace and comfort for all his family.
Mary Seeds Harriger
February 25, 2019
Rest in peace, Mr. Castner. A good man and fine principal. Much earned respect.
Timothy Allen
February 25, 2019
Mr Castner was my favorite teacher. I tell my kids about him. I was nervous going to a new school, he was my first male teacher. He was the best! Mr Castner used to take us outside to play soccer in the snow. Rest In Peace, God bless you and your family and friends.
Tanya A
February 25, 2019
My thoughts and Prayers to family and friends. I remember Mr. Castner from New Egypt Elementary school, he was the Principal when I was there. He is one who has made a lasting g impression on my life. God Bless and be with you all.
Kathy Hinton Fowler
February 25, 2019
Kind thoughts are with your family at this very difficult time of grief. May your fond memories bring you comfort. God's promise at Jeremiah 29:11,12 will give you strength.
February 12, 2019
Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more