William J. Straccia

Surrounded by his loving family, William J. Straccia, 93, passed away peacefully at home on August 20, 2023. He was predeceased by the love of his life of 46 years, Patricia A. (Thomas) Straccia. Bill was the son of the late Guido and Elizabeth (Merli) Straccia of Martins Creek, PA. Throughout his life, Bill had an extraordinary commitment to his family, his faith and his community.

Born in Martins Creek, PA, Bill was a 1948 graduate of Easton High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in England during the Korean War. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1954. With the support of the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in Moravian College and received a B.S. in Business Administration in 1958.

In 1962, Bill became the co-founder and CEO of Electro-Space Fabricators, Inc. (ESF), a precision metal fabricator, located in Topton, PA. Under his leadership, ESF emerged as a leading manufacturer of printed circuit board card rack enclosures, serving major computer and electronics firms across the U.S. He retired in 1997. Bill was awarded two U.S. patents for printed circuit board nylon and anti-vibration guides.

As a founding parishioner of St. Thomas More Parish, Bill served on the parish council, the building committee and as a CYO boys basketball coach. He also was a faithful supporter of his hometown parish, St. Rocco's, in Martins Creek. Bill was a long serving member of the Board of Trustees at DeSales University and was awarded the DeSales Medal for his twenty-two years of leadership. Bill served on the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart Hospital for twenty-nine years and then became an honorary trustee. He served on the Sacred Heart Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees for many years as well.

In 2014, Mercy School for Special Learning presented him the "Angel of Mercy" award. In 2016, he and his family received the Cay Galgon Life House "Guardian Angel" award.

Bill was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus (#345). He was also a member of Lehigh Country Club and enjoyed golfing with many close friends throughout his retirement.

Our most cherished moments with him include vacations in OCNJ, the family trip to meet his relatives in Italy and time spent with his grandchildren. He loved perfecting his biscotti recipe, preparing Thanksgiving stuffing with his granddaughters, pesto with friends, and countless spaghetti dinners.

The love of his Catholic faith lead him to numerous visits to Medjugorje and Lourdes. He truly was the epitome of unconditional Christian love and we are all better for having known him.

In addition to his wife and parents, Bill was predeceased by his brother, Robert, and his great grandson, Graham Straccia. He is survived by his four children and their families: Deborah and Mark Lieberman, Kathleen and Peter Matt, William III and Connie Straccia, and Jeffrey and MaryBeth Straccia.

Bill was the proud "Pop Pop" to his grandchildren: Maria (Aaron) Smalley, Thomas Lieberman, Nicholas Lieberman, Sarah Lieberman (James Luchansky), Kevin Lieberman, Christopher (Marisa) Matt, Stephanie (Daryl) VanSyckle, Allison (Jacob) Martin, Danielle (Gregory) Sih, William IV (Margaret) Straccia, Laura Straccia, Raymond Straccia, Stephen (Erin) Straccia, Lizzy (Brendan) Ford. He adored his great grandchildren Matthew, Joshua, Parker, Jake, Cole, Luke, Lyla, Ellie, Paige, Leah, Joanna, Benjamin, Kacey, Otis, Maryn and Rhett. He is also survived by his sister Jeanne (Frank) Kuebler, brother Joseph (Julie) Straccia, nieces and nephew.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown, PA on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 2:30 pm. Visitation will be at the church prior to the mass from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Internment will be private. Arrangements are with J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown, PA. Condolences may be offered at: www.jsburkholder.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Thomas More School Endowment Fund or the charity of your choice.