James W. Furmanchin, 71, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, died Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008, at the Hazleton General Hospital.
A son of the late James Francis and Mary Agnes (Dinsmore) Furmanchin, he was born on April 2nd, 1937, in Hazleton, but he resided in Weatherly for most of his life.
He was a 1955 graduate of Weatherly High School. He served four years in the United States Navy, from 1955-1959, serving 18 months in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he was a member of the 1958 NAS Flyers Championship baseball team.
He was married in 1959 to Carol (Young) Furmanchin, and they would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in October.
They lived in New Jersey for 13 years where he was employed by Kentile Tile Company. Upon returning to Pennsylvania in 1972, he began working in the ice cream industry, a career he enjoyed for the rest of his life. For the last 14 years, he was happily employed at Leiby's Dairy in Tamaqua.
Jim was a devout member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, now Our Lady of Lourdes, in Weatherly.
He gave 15 years of service to Weatherly Little League as a coach, treasurer, manager, and Little League president. He was instumental in the building of the Little League field at the Weatherly Elementary/Middle School.
He was also an avid supporter of Weatherly High School football as a founding member of football booster club, where he held the offices of treasurer and president.
Jim was a die-hard, lifelong Yankees fan, and he loved to hunt.
He loved watching his grandkids play sports, perform or do anything, and he was never happier than when surrounded by a houseful of his family.
In addition to his wife Carol, Jim is survived by his brother and lifelong friend, William, who resided with him since 1972.
He is also survived by six children and eight grandchildren: James Jr. and his daughter Kayla of Hazleton; John and his sons Jason, Ryan, and Corey, and his fiancée Desi and her children Crystal and Bree of Weatherly; Jeffrey and his wife Sandy and their children Jeffrey and Hilary of Weatherly; Joseph and his fiancée Bernie of Drums; Jerold of Hazleton; and Susan (Furmanchin) Kline and her husband Jim and their daughters Lauren and Abigail of Danville. He is also survived by his faithful canine companion, Roscoe.
Father Floyd Caesar will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 8th, 2008, at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Weatherly.
Jim's family will receive visitors at the church before the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to: Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, 318 Plane Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255 are encouraged.
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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.
We love you Pop!
Posted by: Family | September 05, 2008 at 10:10 AM
John and family,
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sorry I wouldn't be in Weatherly today for Jim's service.
Take care of each other,
Tom Kunkle
Posted by: Tom Kunkle | September 08, 2008 at 04:01 PM
John and family,
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Kind regards,
Jackie Weyrauch (Evanochick)
Posted by: Jackie Weyrauch (formerly Evanochick) | September 08, 2008 at 04:39 PM