John Carl Hafer

1922 - 2022

John Carl Hafer, 100, formerly of Tamaqua, passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at Pine Brooke Personal Care Center in Orwigsburg, having resided there for the past seven years.

Born Thursday, Sept. 21, 1922, in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Raymond S. and Ester Mae (Resh) Hafer. Carl was also predeceased by his beloved wife of 76 years, Jean (Fisher) Hafer, on Oct. 20, 2017; son, J. Carl Hafer Jr.; grandsons, J. Carl Hafer III, Scot and Stanley Borascius; brother, Russel Hafer; and sisters, Anna Grube and Wilhelmena Stauffer.

Surviving are daughter, Ester Jean Borascius, wife of Stanley, of Schnecksville; sons, Joseph "Ted" Theodore Hafer and his wife, Bernadette, of Auburn, and Gregory S. Hafer and his wife, Elaine, of Pottsville; daughter-in-law, JoAnn (Potosky) Hafer, of Tamaqua; grandchildren, Robert Borascius, Joseph Hafer, Lance Hafer, Dean Hafer, Bernadette Trostle, Brandon Hafer and Alexander Hafer; 12 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris Ney and Betty Hafer; brothers, Ralph and Paul Hafer.

A 1940 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Carl attended Penn State University for a year before entering the Navy. Carl was a proud member of the Navy, serving honorably during WWII. Returning home, Carl went to work for the Western Electric in Allentown as a machine operator, working there for 34 years, retiring in 1985. A former Eucharistic member of St. John XXIII R.C.C., of Tamaqua, Carl currently worships at St. Ambrose R.C.C. in Schuylkill Haven.

Carl was an active member of the Tamaqua community. He was a 4th degree member of Knights of Columbus Henry Baker Lodge, of Tamaqua, past grand knight life time member Post 2711, 4th degree Schuylkill Assembly, Boy Scout Leader of Pack & Troop #73 for 25 years, having been awarded the Silver Beaver award, and the St. George Catholic Scouting Award in 1968. Carl also belonged to the South Ward Fire Company, served as past master of the Lewistown Grange, U.S. Ship 257 Minersville Navy Club, and Plank member of the U.S. Navy Memorial, Sampson WWII Veterans Association, V.F.W Post 173 Tamaqua, life member of Telephone Pioneers of America.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua; 570-668-2550. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Thursday, Jan. 5, at 10:30 a.m. St. Ambrose R.C.C., 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven. Friends may call from 9:30 until 10:15 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Ward Fire Company, 325 Vangelder St., Tamaqua, PA 18252; or Tamaqua Meals on Wheels, 801 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252. Interment will be in St. Jerome R.C.C. Cemetery, Tamaqua. Online registry or condolences can be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.