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Obituaries

Stanley G. Rakowsky, Ph.D.
Died: Nov 6, 2015
Stanley G. Rakowsky, Ph.D.
 

Stanley G. Rakowsky, Ed.D., 67, of Frackville, passed away Friday morning at his home, holding his sister Michell’s hand.

Born at the former Ashland State Hospital, March 15, 1948, he was a son of the late Stanley F. and Ann Luscavage Rakowsky.

After graduating from Frackville high School in 1966, Stan went on to earn degrees from Bloomsburg University, (1970 B.S. in Education), Pennsylvania State University (1972 Masters of Educational Administration) and NOVA Southeastern (1998 Doctorate Educational Leadership).

Stan’s professional career began as an English teacher and Athletic Coach in 1970 at North Schuylkill High School.  He then moved to Towanda Area high School acting as an Assistant Principle and Athletic director.  From 1976 to 1994 Stan worked at the Clearfield, PA School District, ending his time there as the Superintendent.  His final position was as the Superintendent of Shenandoah Valley School district, where he served for over 20 years and was a devoted Blue Devil.

Stan had many professional and personal accomplishments.  He was past President of the PA Association of Secondary School Principals, a member of the Middle States Accreditation Committee for elementary and Secondary Education, chairman of the Council of Trustees for Bloomsburg University, having been appointed by Governor Richard Thornburg.  He was also a founding member of the Lock Haven University, Clearfield Campus and the Penn State University Advisory Board, Schuylkill Campus.

A lifetime member of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Frackville, Stan was comforted by his Catholic faith.  He was a proud veteran having served with the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Community support was always very important to Stan.  He lent his talents to many local organizations, including the Lions Club of Frackville and Mt. Carmel; Goodwill, Polish American #2 and Friendship fire Companies; President of the Shenandoah Rotary; BPOE Elks, Clearfield; Rumdums of Shenandoah and Knights of Columbus.  He also participated with many long-time friends in the Halftime Club.  A big part of Stan’s life for many years was attending Penn State football games and was proud to have been named a Penn state Nittany Lion Club honorary Coach.

Every summer Stan looked forward to spending time with his extended family on Lake Beverly in Delta, Ontario, Canada.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by an infant sister Cheryl Ann.

Stan is survived by a sister Michelle Smarkanic, RN and her husband Andrew; brother Larry Rakowsky, DMD and his wife Sharon; brother Terry Rakowsky, DMD and his wife Cathy and sister Leslee Dreisbach, DMD and her husband Bill; several nieces and nephews, many friends and colleagues.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning at St. Ann’s R.C. Church, Frackville with concelebrant, Rev. Robert Finlan, pastor and Rev. Edward B. Connolly.  Relatives and friends and invited to a visitation Wednesday at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. and again Thursday morning from 9 to 11 a.m.   Interment will be St. Vincent Cemetery, Englewood/Frackville.

The family is very grateful to Karen Slotterback, Diane Bressi Johnathan Poplaski and Jack McTiernan for their support and compassion at the end stage of Stan’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Stanley Rakowsky Scholar Athlete Award at either Shenandoah Valley School district, 805 Centre St., Shenandoah, PA  17976 or North Schuylkill School District, 15 Academy Lane, Ashland, PA  17921

Comments:
Jack Vesnesky
#1
November 10th, 2015 9:04 am
My sympathy to the family. I enjoyed working as a supervisor of special education in Clearfield with Stan. Jack Vesnesky
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