Nicholas J. Punko, 95, of Wilson St and McCarragher St Wilkes-Barre, passed away April 14,
2024 surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Born October 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 BS 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 4 years in the Navy, Nick received his high school diploma and began his
professional career working at Roadway, Maffey Oil, Model Cities, Misericordia University and
retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, where he was the Asst. 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 8 th 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, was an Usher and helped 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 Kings College and served on many alumni associations where he chaired their
annual Phoneathon.
Nick married his wife Loretta Joseph in 1954 and would have celebrated their 70 th 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, 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 Nickolas J. Punko, 95, of Wilson St and McCarragher St Wilkes-Barre, passed away April 14,
2024 surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Born October 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 BS 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 4 years in the Navy, Nick received his high school diploma and began his
professional career working at Roadway, Maffey Oil, Model Cities, Misericordia University and
retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, where he was the Asst. 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 8 th 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, was an Usher and helped 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 Kings College and served on many alumni associations where he chaired their
annual Phoneathon.
Nick married his wife Loretta Joseph in 1954 and would have celebrated their 70 th 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, 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 Zayvion and Zakai, 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 18th, at Mamary-Durkin Funeral &
Cremation Services, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Friday, April 19th, 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., 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 18th, at Mamary-Durkin Funeral &
Cremation Services, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Friday, April 19th, 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.
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