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Oliver Sparks Obituary
Subdeacon Oliver Crosby Sparks III, 80, Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Lankenau Heart Hospital in Philadelphia.
Crosby was born in Sikeston, Mo., moving to Wilkes-Barre at age 5. He graduated from GAR Memorial High School in 1959, lettering in football, wrestling and track and field. He was a District II wrestling champion, student council president, and Gentleman Scholar Athlete Award winner. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1958.
After attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he transferred to King's College. He graduated in 1964, earning a B.S. in Biology. He began teaching biology later that year in New Castle, Del.
In 1967, he returned home to Wilkes-Barre to teach biology and environmental sciences at GAR. Over the next 34 years, he taught, advised and coached thousands of students. He retired after the 2000-2001 school year, having spent 40 years at GAR as a student and teacher. To say that Mr. Sparks bled blue and gray is an understatement.
He earned two Master of Science degrees. He loved photography, gardening, carpentry, and working with computers.
He was an active member of St. Anthony/St. George Maronite Catholic Church in Wilkes-Barre. In 2006, he was ordained a Subdeacon, a position he proudly held for the next 15 years.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, the former Jacqueline Gruver, Wilkes-Barre; son Travis and his wife Jennifer, York; twin granddaughters Cathryn and Charlotte, York; brother David, Mountain Top; sister-in-law JoAnn Mateyu and her husband Kenneth; brother-in-law Jeffrey; nieces Virginia Bonifant, Kristin Gebbie, Samantha Sparks, Heather Phillips and Jeanna Saunders; and eight grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Leone Kamplain Kassab, and by niece Heather McAvoy.
All services celebrating Crosby's life will take place at St. Anthony/St. George Maronite Catholic Church, 311 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre. Viewing will be on Tuesday, June 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral Services with Divine Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, June 15 at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.
In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial offering to St. Anthony/St. George Maronite Church c/o 323 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Condolences may be sent by visiting Crosby's obituary at www.natandgawlas.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Oliver Sparks
Anthony Michael
June 20, 2022
My prayers from Tony Michael. He was a GREAT friend I had for 8 in school and sports plus years. May he rest in peace.
Tom Belles
June 15, 2022
What a very nice man. He graduated from GAR with my mom Sandy Belles. Sadly we lost my mom earlier this year as well. When I was a substitute teacher at GAR I would speak to him often. I always love talking to him and my mom`s name usually came up. God bless and Godspeed Mr. Sparks. Say hello to my mom up there in heaven for me. Lots of prayers for you and your family.
Stephen Kassab
June 14, 2022
Words cannot convey the loss Crosby's passing is to our family as well as his church and the community. I remember his kindness and compassion when my father passed. When I was confirmed 46 years ago he was my sponsor. Rest in peace Oliver Crosby Sparks III. He was the true definition of a good man. He touched so many lives and was a positive influence to all who knew and loved him. Good bye cousin, see you soon.
Marty Erickson
June 13, 2022
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Sparks family for there loss. Mr. Sparks was a good teacher and wrestling coach at G.A.R. May he rest in peace.
Sarette T R Dymkowski
June 12, 2022
My deepest sympathies to the Sparks family. Although I never had Mr. Sparks as a teacher he was one of the wisest to walk the hall of the Science department. He definitely kept those elephants away with that wooden pointer stick. He will be missed by many.
Jerry Joseph, G.A.R. Class of 1974
June 12, 2022
My deepest sympathies go out to the Sparks family. I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Mr. Sparks. I knew him at St. George's and he was my Biology teacher at G.A.R. many years ago. I have never forgotten him. I thank him for my career in the medical sciences because he made Biology so interesting. He was a great teacher and a wonderful man. Rest in peace, Mr. Sparks.
Thad Dymkowski
June 12, 2022
The elephants in heaven better take notice of his arrival. He will be missed and remembered.
Alice &Bob Corba
June 12, 2022
Dear Jackie,
He will surely be missed by all who knew him as the priestly person that Crosby was on the altar of St.Anthony´s. I pray for you and your family to find peace and for Crosby´s soul to be in a place of refreshment, light and peace.
Elizabeth Connell
June 12, 2022
Sparks Family,
Mr. Sparks was a wonderful teacher. My thoughts & prayers are with all of his family during this difficult time. God Bless.
Hon. Marty&Kathy Kane, Ft Myers, Fl
June 12, 2022
Dear Mrs. Sparks & Family: We would at this time like to extend our most sincere condolences on the death of your husband&father Crosby. Our thoughts&prayers are with your entire family at this time.
Marissa Knecht Gaughan
June 11, 2022
I am so truly sorry for your loss. Mr Sparks was a wonderful man who made a difference and positive impact on so many of our lives. He was an amazing teacher who truly cared about his student. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Sparks family. May he Rest In Peace. Heaven most definitely gained one amazing Angel to watch over everyone. God Bless
Mary Beth Gilroy-Schertrumpf
June 11, 2022
I am so sorry The world lost a wonderful man and best teacher ever. He made a difference in my life and I will never forget him. May God be with you all
Laura Shortz
June 11, 2022
It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I express love and prayers in the passing of Mr. Crosby Sparks to his whole family in this very difficult time! I had him as teacher in Biology! I struggled in Biology, but he worked with me to get better at the class! He was the best mentor G.A.R. High School ever had! May he rest in peace and may his family and friends be comforted in this very sad time! Love you, Mr. S!
Jo Ann Garrison
June 11, 2022
I am so truly sorry for your loss. I've known Crosby since I was a child. He was such a wonderful holy man. May God rest his soul in peace and may God give you and the family peace and tranquility. The world was a better place with Crosby in it. I love you all .
Noreen Thomas
June 11, 2022
Rest In Peace, #10
Dino Galella
June 11, 2022
Jackie,Travis and family,
So saddened to learn of Crosby´s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences . Your loss is also a heartbreaking loss to the GAR family. He was so much respected by our faculty and student body. Our students loved him and were influenced and more importantly inspired by him. He will live in the hearts and minds of Grenadiers forever. The world was a better place with Crosby Sparks in it. Rest easy my friend.
Bill Tarutis, GAR Class of 1981
June 11, 2022
My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Sparks, my mentor who first set me on the science path in ninth grade biology, and who followed me in my college career through graduate school and beyond. I will always remember his dedication to science, to education, and to his students. To this day, I quote him in all the science college classes I teach: "science is a process." Rest In Peace, Mr. Sparks.
Michael Khalife
June 11, 2022
A tremendous loss. Mr. Sparks had a positive influence on so many lives, too numerous to mention. He will always be remembered. Rest in peace. Michael Khalife
Victoria and Ron Grzyboski
June 11, 2022
We are very sorry about your lost . May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Michael Khalife
June 11, 2022
A tremendous loss. Mr. Sparks had a positive influence on so many lives, too numerous to mention. He will always be remembered. Rest in peace. Michael Khalife
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