Stanley Mark Charnick

Stanley Mark Charnick, 71, passed away Oct. 12, 2017, in the arms of his loving family.

Stan, known as "Babe" to his childhood friends, was the son of Stanley and Helen (Gradus) Charnick. During his teen years, he was a member of the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and earned admission into the Order of the Arrow, eventually making vigil. After graduating from Kingston High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with the Third Battalion, Third Marines.

Following his enlistment, he enrolled at Penn State University and earned his associate's degree in electrical engineering. In 1971, Stan became the first recipient of the prestigious Walker Award, recognizing him as the most outstanding student in the Penn State University Commonwealth system. Afterward, he was accepted into Officer's Candidates School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was ultimately selected as Captain.

While in the Marines, Stan met his beloved wife, Peggy. They celebrated 43 years of marriage on Sept. 14, 2017. Stan earned his bachelor's and master's in organizational management from Misericordia University, graduating with honors both times. Stan was employed by Commonwealth Telephone Company in various engineering and management positions until his retirement in 2005.

Stan was a man of great faith in God and was always involved in his Catholic communities. While living in Towanda, he was a member of the school board for St. Agnes Catholic School and served on the finance committee for Ss. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church. During his years as a member of St. Therese's Parish, he was a Eucharistic minister and he conducted home visits to bring communion to the sick. He was also appointed as a co-chair for the first Renew program, which helped enrich parish life. Both Stan and Peggy are also Mercy Associates, formally committed to the Sisters of Mercy to follow Jesus through spiritual and corporal works of Mercy.

Throughout his life, Stan embodied the words "Semper Fidelis," the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was "always faithful" as a husband, father and man. His faithfulness and steadfast dedication to his God, his family, his friends and his country are his lasting legacy. Stan was an avid lover of the outdoors and enjoyed camping, hiking, and being out in nature with his loved ones. He took great pride in sharing his love of nature and water skills with others and taught several generations of children how to swim, canoe, build campfires, and safely enjoy God's creation. Stan was also a skilled photographer, gifted at capturing life's precious and nature's spectacular moments.

Stan was the definitive handyman with a vast knowledge of electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and other utilitarian skills. If it could be fixed or done, Stan excelled in doing it. Stan will be lovingly remembered for his generosity, his leadership, his attention to detail in all things, and the joy and pleasure he took in living life to the fullest and enjoying life's simple pleasures. His daughters, his honorary children, Maggie and Kevin Gilbertson Jr., and his grandchildren promise to continue his tradition of running around a tree barefoot after the first snowfall of the season.

The Charnick family would like to extend its gratitude to Dr. Gary Nothstein, Dr. Natalia Belikova, and the nurses and staff of Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their kind, compassionate, and outstanding care of Stan during his illness.

Stan was preceded in death by his infant sons, Matthew Allen and Matthew Royal; his parents; his brothers, Raymond and Mark; and his beloved K9 companion Josh, the last of five wonderful dogs who shared his life over the years.

Surviving are his wife, Peggy; daughters, Ellen Grau and her husband, Scott, of Frederick, Md., Laura Zielinski and her husband, Keith, of Alburtis, and Beth Ufnar and her husband, Luke, of Camp Hill; and his brother, Robert, and his wife Nadia of Biglersville. He was blessed with nine grandchildren: Catherine, Adam and Leah Grau, Andrew, Julia and Michael Ufnar, and Allison, Matthew, and a new baby Zielinski, due in December. He will also be lovingly remembered by a large extended family, friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, from the Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown. A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating Stan's life, will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Therese's Church, 64 Davis St., Shavertown, with the Rev. James Paisley, pastor, officiating. Interment will be held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Stan's viewing, which will be Monday, Oct. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 William St., Dunmore, or to St. Therese's Church, Shavertown.