Obituary for Lawrence Paul "Larry" Opalisky
Lawrence Paul “Larry” Opalisky, 88, of Curwensville, passed away Wednesday March 29, 2017 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center in State College just three weeks shy of his 89th birthday.
Born April 19, 1928 in Smoke Run, he was the son of Michael and Bertha Opalisky. He was a 1945 graduate of Madera High School and after graduating, was inducted into the U S Army in 1950 and served with the 54th Engineering Battalion where he served for two years and was honorably discharged. While serving his country, he learned to operate heavy machinery and was instrumental in the construction of several bridges while overseas. He later earned his Surveyor’s License, and thereafter earned a degree in Civil Engineering and spent the majority of his professional career as a licensed Engineer, taking great pride in his work in designing buildings and bridges.
Larry was most passionate about music, and as a child he learned to play several instruments as well as to sing. In high school, he and some friends formed a band and they played at numerous school events. When he returned from active duty, he met his future wife the former Maryann Panko while she was playing the accordion with the group. They became inseparable and were married on September 14, 1957. He then built the house where he and she lived and where they raised four children. He still lived in that house until he passed. He and his wife later formed a dance band called the Dreamers. Maryann played the accordion and Larry was lead singer plus played the trumpet. Some of his fondest memories were of his time with his wife and their band.
He later earned his private pilot’s license and purchased a plane. He then volunteered his time to build multi-plane hangars at the Clearfield Airport. Flying his plane and allowing his kids to pretend they were co-pilots gave him such joy.
Larry took great pride in his family, building treehouses and playhouses for his grandkids, and doing numerous home repair projects for his four children. He also gave back to his community, serving terms on the Curwensville School Board where he was President, and on several local authorities. He remained an active member of the Curwensville Municipal Authority (Sewer) up until his termed expired at the end of 2016. In addition, he was Commander of the Curwensville American Legion Post #505 and an active member of St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church in Curwensville where he was a cantor for many years, and was also a longtime member of the Curwensville Lions Club.
Larry will be greatly missed, but forever loved and respected by all those he touched during his life. He is survived by his four children: Vicki, Diana, Linda and Mark; his grandchildren Sarah, Nick, Grant, Connor, Lauren and Lydia and his great grandchildren Henry and Hadley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife on August 12, 2005, and a brother Lewis Opalisky.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church in Curwensville on Monday April 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM, with the Reverend Father Stephen Collins as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Crown Crest Memorial Park in Hyde, PA.
Friends will be received at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville on Sunday April 2, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM, and again on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, when the procession will depart for the church. A Scripture Vigil Services will be conducted Sunday at 1:45 PM with the Rosary to be recited at 3:45 PM and the Curwensville Lions Club will conduct a Lions Memorial Service at 6:00 PM Sunday, all at the funeral home. Military Honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of the Clearfield Honor Guard.
The family suggests memorial contributions be given in Larry’s name to the American Heart Association 610 Community Way Lancaster, PA 17603
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born April 19, 1928 in Smoke Run, he was the son of Michael and Bertha Opalisky. He was a 1945 graduate of Madera High School and after graduating, was inducted into the U S Army in 1950 and served with the 54th Engineering Battalion where he served for two years and was honorably discharged. While serving his country, he learned to operate heavy machinery and was instrumental in the construction of several bridges while overseas. He later earned his Surveyor’s License, and thereafter earned a degree in Civil Engineering and spent the majority of his professional career as a licensed Engineer, taking great pride in his work in designing buildings and bridges.
Larry was most passionate about music, and as a child he learned to play several instruments as well as to sing. In high school, he and some friends formed a band and they played at numerous school events. When he returned from active duty, he met his future wife the former Maryann Panko while she was playing the accordion with the group. They became inseparable and were married on September 14, 1957. He then built the house where he and she lived and where they raised four children. He still lived in that house until he passed. He and his wife later formed a dance band called the Dreamers. Maryann played the accordion and Larry was lead singer plus played the trumpet. Some of his fondest memories were of his time with his wife and their band.
He later earned his private pilot’s license and purchased a plane. He then volunteered his time to build multi-plane hangars at the Clearfield Airport. Flying his plane and allowing his kids to pretend they were co-pilots gave him such joy.
Larry took great pride in his family, building treehouses and playhouses for his grandkids, and doing numerous home repair projects for his four children. He also gave back to his community, serving terms on the Curwensville School Board where he was President, and on several local authorities. He remained an active member of the Curwensville Municipal Authority (Sewer) up until his termed expired at the end of 2016. In addition, he was Commander of the Curwensville American Legion Post #505 and an active member of St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church in Curwensville where he was a cantor for many years, and was also a longtime member of the Curwensville Lions Club.
Larry will be greatly missed, but forever loved and respected by all those he touched during his life. He is survived by his four children: Vicki, Diana, Linda and Mark; his grandchildren Sarah, Nick, Grant, Connor, Lauren and Lydia and his great grandchildren Henry and Hadley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife on August 12, 2005, and a brother Lewis Opalisky.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church in Curwensville on Monday April 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM, with the Reverend Father Stephen Collins as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Crown Crest Memorial Park in Hyde, PA.
Friends will be received at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville on Sunday April 2, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM, and again on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, when the procession will depart for the church. A Scripture Vigil Services will be conducted Sunday at 1:45 PM with the Rosary to be recited at 3:45 PM and the Curwensville Lions Club will conduct a Lions Memorial Service at 6:00 PM Sunday, all at the funeral home. Military Honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of the Clearfield Honor Guard.
The family suggests memorial contributions be given in Larry’s name to the American Heart Association 610 Community Way Lancaster, PA 17603
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Lawrence Paul "Larry" Opalisky, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
Sunday
2
Apr
1:45 PM
- 2:00 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Scripture Vigil Service
Visitation
Sunday
2
Apr
2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Service
Sunday
2
Apr
3:45 PM
- 4:00 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Rosary
Visitation
Sunday
2
Apr
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Service
Sunday
2
Apr
6:00 PM
- 6:15 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Lions Club Memorial Services
Service
Monday
3
Apr
11:00 AM
- 11:50 AM
St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church
306 Walnut Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Mass of Christian Burial
Visitation
Monday
3
Apr
9:30 PM
- 10:30 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Cemetery Details
Location
Historic Crown Crest Cemetery
Washington Avenue
Hyde, PA 16843
Memorial Contribution
American Heart Association
610 Community Way
Lancaster, PA 17603
Lancaster, PA 17603
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