Robert Daniel "Bob" Jancewicz

Robert "Bob" Daniel Jancewicz, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle, 79 years of age of Buck Mountain Weatherly, passed away Friday in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton.

Born Thursday, Dec. 7, 1944, in Baltimore, Md., the son of the late Edward and Anna (Mikitka) Jancewicz.

Bob was also predeceased by sister, Anna Mae (in infancy); and brothers, Edward and Thomas.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 59 years, Margaret Ann "Peggy" (Helker) Jancewicz; beloved sons, Robert T. Jancewicz; Kevin D. Jancewicz and his wife, Ellen; and James W. Jancewicz; brothers, John A. Jancewicz and his wife, Melinda; Charles Jancewicz; and Lawrence Jancewicz; beloved and treasured grandchildren, Kaylee Morgan, Clayton James and Merritt Daniel; and beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

A 1963 graduate of the former St. Ann's Roman Catholic High School in Freeland, Bob served honorably in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Era. During this time, he married his one and only love, Peggy. Returning home he began a 33-year career working as a heavy equipment operator with PP&L. An avid golfer, Robert played his entire adult life with a memorable round in 2009 at The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland with his son James. He was also an accomplished artist.

During the 1970s, Bob and his family began annual summer camping vacations at Chincoteague, Va. While others enjoyed the nearby Assateague Island beach, Bob was more inclined to visit the shops of "old timer" decoy carvers. Through listening to their stories of the history of wildfowl decoy carving indigenous to these islands and watching them at work, Bob was inspired to bring his own artistic talents to this genre.

In 1997, Robert achieved an artistic goal by becoming a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. At the same time, he began to enter his decoy carving work at the Annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition in Ocean City, Md., and continued to do so for the next 25 years up until this April. With each year's entries, he honed his skill leading to many awards in several decoy carving categories.

Bob's favorite affiliations were: a member the Chincoteague Decoy Carver and Artists Association; a member of the USS Guam Association, having served his entire Navy career on board the newly commissioned LPH-9 USS Guam. In September of 2023, he and two former shipmates were honored during a reunion cruise as being the three surviving sailors from the original crew. Bob also had a 30-year association with the Weatherly Area Community Library, donating a carving each year for their annual fundraising event.

A remembrance gathering for Bob will be held with family and close friends at a future date.

If so desired, the family requests donations in memory of Bob be directed to the Weatherly Area Community Library, P.O. Box 141, Weatherly, PA 18255.

Arrangements entrusted to Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of 211 First St., Weatherly.

Condolences or a fond memory of Bob can be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.