The Reverend Louis S. Garbacik, 81, Pastor Emeritus of St. Stanislaus Church, Hazleton, died on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Father Garbacik, a son of the late Andrew and Sara Strzcmpek, was born in West Hazleton on July 28, 1928. He received his early education in Transfiguration Elementary and Junior High Schools and graduated from Hazle Township High School in 1946. Father received a bachelor of arts degree from St. Mary's College, Orchard Lake, Mich., in 1950 and entered Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Mich., for his theological studies. He was ordained to priesthood on May 29, 1954, by the Most Rev. Henry T. Klonowski, D.D., D.S.T., in St. Gabriel's Church, Hazleton. Father Garbacik's first assignment was on June 15, 1954, as assistant pastor at Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas. He was then assigned to St. Michael's, Old Forge, and Ss. Peter and Paul in Plains Township. Father then received his first pastorate at St. Martin of Tours in Jackson Township on January 25, 1972. On January 18, 1977, Father became pastor of Holy Child Parish in Nanticoke, and was also appointed director of St. Stanislaus Medical Center at the same time. On March 4, 1983, he became administrator of Ascension Church in Mocanaqua along with his other duties. He was named pastor of St. Stanislaus in Hazleton on October 25, 1986, where he remained upon his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus on July 2, 2006. Father was proud of his Polish heritage and his service to his parishioners, which was always infused with Polish expressions, customs, and culture. He had many diverse talents; he was an avid baker and pierogi maker, which he did with his parishioners in the church basement. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter and Stanley Garbacik; and three sisters, Mary Deluca, Sophia Garbacik and Caroline Chunko. He is survived by two sisters, Josephine Jurewicz, West Hazleton, and Helen Moisey, Tresckow, Pa.; brother, Edward Garbacik, Hazleton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will take place at St. Stanislaus Church, 652 Carson St., Hazleton, on Tuesday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at St. Stanislaus Church, Hazleton, at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Richard Cirba, Dean, presiding. A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Rev. James C. Timlin, D.D., retired Bishop of Scranton, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Church, Hazleton. Viewing will also take place Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral Mass. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Hazleton. Arrangements are under the direction of Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc., Hazleton.
The Reverend Louis S. Garbacik, 81, Pastor Emeritus of St. Stanislaus Church, Hazleton, died on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Father Garbacik, a son of the late Andrew and Sara Strzcmpek, was born in West Hazleton on July 28, 1928. He received his early education in Transfiguration Elementary and Junior High Schools and graduated from Hazle Township High School in 1946. Father received a bachelor of arts degree from St. Mary's College, Orchard Lake, Mich., in 1950 and entered Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Mich., for his theological studies. He was ordained to priesthood on May 29, 1954, by the Most Rev. Henry T. Klonowski, D.D., D.S.T., in St. Gabriel's Church, Hazleton. Father Garbacik's first assignment was on June 15, 1954, as assistant pastor at Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas. He was then assigned to St. Michael's, Old Forge, and Ss. Peter and Paul in Plains Township. Father then received his first pastorate at St. Martin of Tours in Jackson Township on January 25, 1972. On January 18, 1977, Father became pastor of Holy Child Parish in Nanticoke, and was also appointed director of St. Stanislaus Medical Center at the same time. On March 4, 1983, he became administrator of Ascension Church in Mocanaqua along with his other duties. He was named pastor of St. Stanislaus in Hazleton on October 25, 1986, where he remained upon his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus on July 2, 2006. Father was proud of his Polish heritage and his service to his parishioners, which was always infused with Polish expressions, customs, and culture. He had many diverse talents; he was an avid baker and pierogi maker, which he did with his parishioners in the church basement. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter and Stanley Garbacik; and three sisters, Mary Deluca, Sophia Garbacik and Caroline Chunko. He is survived by two sisters, Josephine Jurewicz, West Hazleton, and Helen Moisey, Tresckow, Pa.; brother, Edward Garbacik, Hazleton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will take place at St. Stanislaus Church, 652 Carson St., Hazleton, on Tuesday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at St. Stanislaus Church, Hazleton, at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Richard Cirba, Dean, presiding. A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Rev. James C. Timlin, D.D., retired Bishop of Scranton, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Church, Hazleton. Viewing will also take place Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral Mass. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Hazleton. Arrangements are under the direction of Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc., Hazleton.
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