Paul P. Sitarchyk

Paul P. Sitarchyk died on Saturday October 18 surrounded by family in his home. He was 91 years old having been born July 8, 1934 in Packerton. His parents, Peter and Sofie (Dzuba), immigrated to Pennsylvania from Eastern Europe.

Paul married the love of his life, Joan (Hammel), in November 1956. They were preparing to celebrate their 69th anniversary together. The couple was joined by four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Paul retired from United Parcel Service in 1996 after 27 years of delivering packages. For almost 20 years afterwards he switched to delivering auto parts part time for Palmerton Auto. His earlier years included work at Bethlehem Steel, delivering concrete for Rock Hill Cement and driving tractor trailers.

In the early years of their married life Paul and Joan saw the practical value of Bible study for their family. They appreciated learning God had a personal name, Jehovah (Psalm 83:18), and a loving personality.  Paul dedicated the rest of his life to serving God and sharing his faith and hope with others of a better world to come. He worshipped along with the Lehighton Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses until moving to the Palmerton congregation in his later years.

Friends from high school knew Paul as "Spike."  His wife called him her "Polish Prince." He will always be remembered for his kind, loving and generous nature. He was skilled and competitive at playing cards and taught younger ones how to play pinochle. He often shared his wisdom with them through his one-liners. His children will always remember, "It's better to be quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Paul enjoyed traveling with friends and his growing extended family. He loved to take his camper and boat to Canada to fish. Florida and Disney World was another favorite destination. They traveled cross country to California and made stops at the Grand Canyon and other national parks.

One treasured memory was attending an International Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Hawaii with a group of friends from their local congregation. In addition to the program, they were able to enjoy the hospitality of their local spiritual brothers and tour the islands. Their children remember their home being filled with orchids when one of the local couples their parents befriended in Hawaii came to visit them in Pennsylvania months later.

Paul is survived by his son Paul and his wife Tamara of Atlanta, son Michael and his wife Llewellyn of Nazareth, daughter Tami of Lake Ariel, and daughter Trina and husband David of Palmerton. His grandchildren are Morgan Scarselletta (Tony), Caitlin Tamburri (Jesse), Bethany Devine (Dan), Jeremy Sitarchyk (Cylena), Caleb Sitarchyk (Jillian), Jenessa Yale (Daron), Ragen Dunton, Gavin Dunton (Tiffany) and Eden Marton (Harrison). His great-grandchildren are Mia Scarselletta, Fiona Tamburri, Naomi Tamburri, Bria Tamburri, Helena Sitarchyk and Henry Sitarchyk. He was preceded in death by his siblings Peter, Mary, Ann, Cathryn (Kitty), Joseph (Joe), Rose (Rosie), Agnes and John (Sonny).

A Memorial will be held on Saturday October 25, 2025 at 1:30 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 8110 Route 873, Slatington, PA 18080.