John C. Hafer

John C. Hafer

John Carl Hafer, 100, formerly of Tamaqua, passed away peacefully on 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, the 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; sisters, Anna Grube, Wilhelmena Stauffer.

Surviving are daughter, Ester Jean Borascius, wife of Stanley, of Schnecksville; sons, Joseph "Ted" Theodore Hafer, and his wife Bernadette, of Auburn, 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, Alexander Hafer, 12 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; sisters, Doris Ney, Betty Hafer; brothers, Ralph and Paul Hafer.

A 1940 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Carl attended Penn State University for one year before entering the Navy. Carl was a proud member of the United States Navy serving honorably during World War II.

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 Catholic Church of Tamaqua, Carl later worshiped at St. Ambrose Catholic Church 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 No. 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, Tamaqua, served as Past Master of the Lewistown Grange, US Ship 257 Minersville Navy Club, and plank member of the US Navy Memorial, Sampson World War II Veterans Association, V.F.W Post 173 Tamaqua, Life member of Telephone Pioneers of America.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.

Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 201 Randel St, Schuylkill Haven, on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. Friends may call in church from 9:30 A.M. until 10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: South Ward Fire Company, 325 Van Gelder Street. Tamaqua, PA 18252; or the Tamaqua Meals on Wheels, 801 E. Broad St, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Interment, St. Jerome cemetery, Tamaqua. Online registry or condolences can be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.