Edward Joseph Szymczak

Edward Joseph Szymczak, age 79, of Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully on Friday June 8, 2018 at Grandview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Danville.

Born in Kingston on June 1, 1939, he was a son of the late Walter E. and Bernadine T. (Konesko) Szymczak of Larksville.

Edward was a graduate of Kingston High School, Class of 1957 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1961 and a Master's degree in Education, both from the former Bloomsburg State Teacher's College.

He was married to the late Alice T. Szymczak in 1968. He taught fourth and fifth grade math and science in the Bloomsburg Area School District for 37 years. He was also the head coach of both the boys cross country and boys track and field teams from 1963 to 1998. During his coaching career, his teams won several league and district championships, along with numerous district  individual championships. He was voted coach of the year in 1977, 1990 and 1993, by his track and field peers.

"Shimmer" devoted his life to serving his community. He was an active member of St. Columba Parish, receiving recognition for outstanding service on the school board, Parish Council, finance committee and Eucharistic Ministry. He was a life member of Bloomsburg Elks Lodge 436, serving on many committees, and served as Chairman of Youth Activities for 25 years, and served as Exalted Ruler from 1975-76. In his retirement , he enjoyed watching the Phillies, socializing, playing cards, golfing and drinking coffee at Dunkin Donuts. He was a people person; always smiling and always quick with a word of encouragement, or "hey buddy"!

Surviving are three daughters: Alise Seibert, Bloomsburg; Kathleen Szymczak, East Haven, Conn.; Leanne Szymczak, Los Angeles, Calif.; four grandchildren: Thomas, Michael, John and Deven; and a sister, Charlotte, wife of Edward Yarmel, Larksville.

A  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 10 a. m. in St. Columba Catholic Church, 342 Iron Street, Bloomsburg, by his pastor, Monsignor Robert E. Lawrence. Interment will follow in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018, from 6-8 P. M., at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg,  with a Christian Wake Service starting promptly at 6 p. m. An Elks Memorial Service will be held at 7 p. m., after which friends and family are invited to share a remembrance or other recollection about Edward.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edward Szymczak Scholarship Fund on GoFundMe (gofundme.com/edward-szymczak-scholarship-fund).

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Grandview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their support in his final days.