Bernard (“Barney”/ “Dave”) Jacek, 95, of Avoca, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Wesley Village Campus Pittston where he was a resident for the last nine months. He was born in Avoca, August 6, 1924 and was the son of the late George and Bertha (Soltys) Jacek.
Barney was a life member of SS Peter and Paul Church until its closing and was currently a parishioner of Queen of The Apostles Parish Church, Avoca. He was a graduate of Avoca High School, Class of 1943. After high school, he served in the US Army during WWII as a corporal serving in the South Pacific and Korea.
Baseball was his favorite sport and he played with many local teams and practiced with the Wilkes-Barre Barons.
He signed a Uniform Players Contract in 1949 approved by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues playing with “The Sampson Blues” the Clinton Baseball Club in Clinton, N.C. and the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Ohio as an infielder with a salary of $150.00 per month.
Prior to retirement, he was employed for 30 years by Atlas Chain and Precision of West Pittston. He was a member of V.F.W. Post 8335, Avoca.
Barney was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, uncle and friend.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by sisters, infant sister Josephine, Dorothy Appnel, and Helen Jacek and brothers, John, Walter and Chester Jacek.
Surviving are his devoted and loving wife of 69 years, Rose Ostrowski Jacek; his sons, Robert and his wife Jacqueline Jacek, of Duryea and Stephen Jacek, of Avoca; grandchildren, Justin, Joshua, and Chelsea; great-grandchildren, Kira, Gavin, Jeremy, Jocelyn, Liam, Parker, Grayson, Gianni, and Benson; sister-in-law Frances Anthony, of Glen Lyon; cousin Jean Fafinski, NJ; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks for the exceptional care and support of the entire staff of the Serenity Unit at Wesley Village and Hospice of The Sacred Heart, Dunmore. Also a special thank you to Dr. James Kosik for his outstanding care and support over the years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 or Hospice of The Sacred Heart, 100 William St., Dunmore PA.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 9:30am from Kiesinger Funeral Services, Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea with a mass of Christian burial at 10:00am at Queen of The Apostles Parish Church, 715 Hawthorne St., Avoca with Fr. Phillip Sladicka officiating. Friends may call on Sunday, March 8th from 4pm-7pm. Interment will be held at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Avoca. AMVETS Honor Guard of Greater Pittston will provide military honors.