Bernard Boback

Mr. Bernard J. Boback Sr., a former resident of the North End section of Wilkes-Barre, more recently, a resident of Harveys Lake, passed into eternal life unexpectedly Thursday evening, May 26, 2016, shortly after admission to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Born May 28, 1922, in Wilkes-Barre, he would have celebrated his 94th birthday this past Saturday. He was a son to the late William and Josephine (Pacovsky) Boback. He was educated in the Wilkes-Barre schools. Following his education, Mr. Boback worked with his brother, Joe, at the former Boback's Garage on Elm Street in North End, then proudly served our country with the U.S. Army during World War II, having served in the Pacific Theatre. Upon being honorably discharged from military duties, he then began teaching at Madison Auto Body School, which trained veterans returning from World War II in the skills of auto body repairs. He later opened his own body shop where he served countless residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Bernie acquired a love of antique cars by restoring personal vehicles and those of his clients. In 1972, he shared his skills by becoming an educator at the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical School. He remained there some 24 years, retiring in 1996. He and the love of his life, his beloved Nancy, traveled throughout the country sharing and competing with his pride and joy, his antique automobiles, winning various local and national awards. He was a charter member of the Antique Automobile Club of America and was a nationally-certified judge for the AACA, where he received a pin for 50-year membership. He also held life membership in the Brookside American Legion Post No. 837 and was a lifelong member of the Buick Club of America. Mr. Boback was preceded by his beloved wife, the former Anna "Nancy" Litchman; a son, Rick Boback; a granddaughter, Jayme Janos, and by several brothers and sisters. Surviving are his children, Buzz Boback and his wife, state Rep. Dr. Karen Boback, with whom Bernie recently resided; Ron Boback and his wife, Mary Ann, of Trucksville; daughter, Bonnie Matan and her husband, Ron, of Easton; daughter-in-law, Nancy Boback, of Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, Nancy and John Picone, Scott and Stephanie Purvis; Donald and Jennifer Purvis Jr.; Karen "K.C." and Connor Kriegel; Dr. Bernard J. Boback III; Ron Boback Jr.; Jennifer Boback, Nicole Boback, Rick Boback, Ron & Amber Matan; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; his personal assistant and best friend, Donna Kaskus of Tunkhannock; numerous nieces, nephews, fellow auto enthusiasts and dear friends. Funeral services for Mr. Boback will be conducted at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday from the Disque Funeral Home, 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church, Lakeside Drive, Harveys Lake with the Rev. Genaro P. Aguilar, CSC officiating. Interment with Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 1594 S. Main St., Hanover Township. Relatives and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Boback's memory to the Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, PA, 18612. The John V. Morris Family Funeral Directors are honored to care for our dear cousins and friends at this time. To send Bernie's family online words of comfort, remembrances and friendship, please visit our family's website at www.JohnVMorrisFuneralHomes.com.