Max Bartikowsky

1930 - 2022

WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Max Bartikowsky, 92, formerly of Forty Fort, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at Highland Park Senior Living in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Max was born in 1930 in Wilkes-Barre to the late Bernard and Camilla (Tintner) Bartikowsky. Raised on Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, Max became something of a local celebrity as a kid; he was the inspiration for cartoonist Ham Fisher's "Little Max" in the Joe Palooka comic strip, which ran in up to 900 newspapers nationwide for over 50 years.

Max was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and Wilkes University. He also served in the United States Navy from 1951-1955. He completed the Gemological Institute of America's diamond grading training, after which he became the President and CEO of his third-generation family business, Bartikowsky Jewelers on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. The shop celebrated 125 successful years in business before closing in 2013.

Throughout his life, Max was actively involved in a number of community programs, supported countless charitable and civic organizations, and was honored many times over. Max was a past board member of the Jewish Community Center, Wilkes-Barre Lions Club, and Temple Israel, among others. Donations he made contributed to refurbishing classrooms at Wyoming Seminary and building an updated JCC facility in Kingston. He's been recognized by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind, Masonic Lodge 65 Caldwell Consistory — Irem Temple, the Anti-Defamation League, Wyoming Valley Family Service Association, American Heart Association, and Junior Achievement Hall of Fame, among many others.

But Max may have been best known as a devoted partner of many years to the love of his life, Anna Cervenak, who died in 2015. In addition to Anna and his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Leonard (Bart) Bartikowsky; and a sister, Jane (Bartikowsky) Karnofsky. Max is survived by his sister-in-law, Marilyn Bartikowsky; nieces: Nancy (Jeff) Palumbo, Little Silver, N.J.; Jill Bartikowsky, Houston, Texas; and Ellen (Scott) Levithan, Lansdale, Pa.; Anna's niece and nephew: Meg (Derek) Cervenak Brown and John (Nancy) Cervenak Jr.; and many cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Max was a true businessman but more importantly a genuine philanthropist. He loved his Sunday pool get togethers; going to the racetrack (especially to watch his horses); basketball and tennis; his time spent in Florida; and his cherished beagles: Sparkle, Coco and Chanel.

He was especially known for his dedication to the community. He will be sadly missed by many.

Graveside services will be held at the Temple Israel Cemetery, 212 Dennison St., Swoyersville, at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21. Those wishing to pay their respects are invited later that day between 3:15 and 4:15 p.m. to the Jewish Community Center, 613 S.J. Strauss Lane, Kingston, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Max Bartikowsky Endowment at either Temple Israel, 613 S.J. Strauss Lane, Kingston, PA 18704 or the Jewish Community Center, 613 S.J. Strauss Ln., Kingston, PA 18704, two organizations that have been an important part of Max's life.

Arrangements under the direction of the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, www.RosenbergFuneralChapel.com.