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WILKES-BARRE – Nicholas J. Punko, 95, of Wilson Street and McCarragher Street, Wilkes-Barre, passed away April 14, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Born Oct. 15, 1928, he was the son of Nicholas and Mary Punko. He was a graduate of Edwardsville High School and went on to earn a B.S. from King’s College (67) and an MBS from the University of Scranton (77).
Nick left high school at the age of 17 and joined the Navy right at the end of WWII. He later joined the Coast Guard Reserves and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer. He was very proud of his years of service and loved to travel to different cities for his Navy ship reunions to share stories with his fellow sailors of their time on various aircraft carriers.
After serving his four years in the Navy, Nick received his high school diploma and began his professional career working at Roadway, Maffey Oil, Model Cities, Misericordia University. He retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, where he was the Assistant Business Office Manager. After retirement, you could find Nick selling beer at Corba Beverage where he loved talking to his customers or at Ed Martin’s School of Defense where he earned his eighth degree black belt at the age of 81.
Nick was as active member of St Anthony/St George Maronite Church, serving on the Knights of Lebanon and Church Council, and serving as an Usher and helping on the finance committee. For years, you would find him calling out bingo numbers at the church bazaar. Nick was also an avid supporter of King’s College, serving on many alumni associations where he chaired their annual Phoneathon.
Nick married his wife, Loretta Joseph, in 1954 and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this coming September. They loved to spend time with friends dancing and would attend Polka Fest weekends in the Catskills every year.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Mary (Hine); son, Nick; siblings, Olga Rockefeller, Helen Borden, John Punko and Walter Punko; and sisters-in-law, Freda Doyle and Marian Dalkiewicz
He is survived by his wife, Loretta; daughters, Beth, Lita and Amy (Bob); grandchildren, Mackenzie Watkins (Brian), Kendra Malinovitch (Mark), Nicole Punko and Joshua Andrejko; great-grandchildren, Gabriella McElhattan, Adeline Malinovitch, Destiny Tolbert, Darnell and Danayjha Moore; great-great-grandchildren, Zavion and Zachi; his loving nieces and nephews who were all like one of his children and his grand puppies – Buca, Porter, Athena, Rivits and Django.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Mamary-Durkin Funeral & Cremation Services, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, with services at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony/St George Maronite Church, Park Ave, Wilkes Barre. Interment will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township.