Patrick J. Witkowski, 72, of Laporte, died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at his home.
Born December 14, 1945 in Camden, New Jersey, he was a son of the late John Edward and Alice May (Hearn) Witkowski. He and his wife, the former Nancy K. Kennedy, recently celebrated 35 years of marriage on April 2, 2018.
Patrick attended Holy Name Elementary School and graduated from Camden Catholic High School, Class of 1963. He also attended Villanova University and Penn State University, Schuylkill Haven Campus. Patrick served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and was employed at Chestnut Fleet Rentals for 28 years, where he held several positions from General Manager to Vice President. After relocating to Laporte, Patrick started his second career working for Sullivan County. He served in many county positons, including Bookkeeper, Voter Registrar, Tax Claim Director, Human Services Coordinator and Director of the Housing Authority, before retiring in 2009 after 16 years of service.
Patrick enjoyed giving back to his community through his volunteering efforts. He was a member of Muncy Valley Area Volunteer Fire Company from 1989 to 1999 where he was active in firefighting and fire rescue. He was also a licensed First Responder and EMT, and served as Assistant Ambulance Captain, and as an EMT Instructor. Patrick was currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Sullivan County Bow Festival and previously served as president of the Sullivan County Library Board. In his spare time, Patrick enjoyed reading, fishing, photography, billiards, hiking, and traveling.
Surviving, in addition to his wife Nancy, are three daughters, Deneen A. (Jon) Calloway of Media, Karissa M. (Adam) Turbeville of Charleston, SC, Carolyn Barry of Bloomsburg; three sons, Patrick J. Barry of Bloomsburg, John R. Bonislawski of Avondale, and Michael M. (Michele) Bonislawski of Orlando, FL; a sister, Barbara A. Dillon of Navarre, FL; a brother, Michael T. Witkowski of Gloucester Twp., NJ; and nine grandchildren, Norah Barry, Natalie Barry, Sydney Barry, Casey Calloway, Alexis Calloway, Austin Lind, Jagger Kenyon, Asia Madric, and Francesca Bonislawski.
In addition to his parents, Patrick was preceded in death by a son, Frank J. Bonislawski.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter Street, Dushore, with Rev. Ron Dyer officiating. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at the funeral home.
The family will provide the flowers and suggest memorial contributions to the Muncy Valley Area Volunteer Fire Company., P.O. Box 9, Muncy Valley, PA 17758 or the Sullivan County Library, P.O. Box 309, Dushore, PA 18614.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.mccartythomas.com.
