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February 9, 2011

Howard B. Fedrick, of Laflin, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Born in Plymouth, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Catherine Howard Fedrick.

Howard was a graduate of St. Vincent’s High School, Plymouth, a graduate of King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, where he received his bachelor’s degree, and a graduate of the University of Scranton, where he received his master’s degree in American History.

For the last 15 years, Howard was an assistant professor of History at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, and was chosen as Professor of the Year by the students in 2005. He taught at St. Vincent’s High School, Plymouth, the University of Scranton and Luzerne County Community College. He had been employed at Retreat State Hospital, Hunlock Creek, Clarks Summit State Hospital, Luzerne County Tourist Promotion Agency, and he was the executive director of Luzerne County Bicentennial Celebrations.

He was the original owner and operator of Flowers and…, Plymouth. Howard coached high school speech and debate at St. Vincent’s High School and West Side Central Catholic High School. He was the Diocesan Director of the Scranton Catholic Forensic League for 10 years and served as secretary for the National Catholic Forensic League. He was on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania High School Speech League and was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

Howard was a member of the Board of Directors of the Fine Arts Fiesta for 35 years and was president of the board for 11 years. In 2007, he received the “Service to Society Award” from the King’s College Alumni Association.

In all that he did, Howard was always a teacher who loved the printed and spoken word. He loved his students and made a tremendous impact on them. He loved beauty and tried to make the world more beautiful for others.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Anne; the Merkel family and the Cosgrove family.

Howard’s friend and fellow teacher, Jennifer Fry, held a special place in his heart.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the King’s College Chapel, Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends may call at the King’s College Chapel, Wilkes-Barre, from 1 p.m. until service time Sunday.

Howard loved flowers. It is Howard’s request that, if anyone wishes to send flowers, that they please send flowers to someone special that they love to remember Howard.

Contributions, if desired, may be made to King’s College, in care of the King’s College Development Office, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, or to the Fine Arts Fiesta, P.O. Box 2053, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth.

Please visit www.sjgrontkowskifuneralhome.com to submit online condolences to Howard’s family.