Sylvester "Cip" Vavra

Sylvester “Cip” Vavra, 92, of Coaldale, entered into eternal rest Friday, August 30, 2019 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Miners Campus. He was the husband of the late Helen (King) Vavra who passed away September 7, 1997. Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Joseph and Karoline (Chovanec) Vavra. He was employed as a sewing machine mechanic, plant manager, and then a production engineer for the former Philip and Jones, now Van Heusen Company, where he created the white collar and cuff button down dress shirt. He last worked for the former Eagle Shirt Company as a machine mechanic until retiring. He was a WWII U.S. Army Veteran who served with the 785th Military Police Battalion in Okinawa. He was a member of St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church, Coaldale. He was also a member of the Coaldale Russian Club where he was the steward, a life member of the Coaldale American Legion, a member of the Coaldale Lions Club, a member of the Coaldale Rod and Gun Club, a member of the Coaldale VFW and a member of the Travelers Protective Association. Cip enjoyed shooting darts, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and golf where he achieved one “hole in one”.  He was very active in the Lansford Little League where he was the manager of the Lansford Cubs when they won the 1966 League Championship. Known as the world’s best storyteller, he loved bird watching, doing puzzles, and going to the casino, but what he enjoyed more than anything, was spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s events. 

Surviving are daughters Karen wife of Matthew Nichols of Lehighton and Lisa wife of Dave Hiles of Summit Hill; a son Dennis husband of Geri (Hook) of Coaldale; grandchildren Nina, Lora, Keri, Mark, Allysa, Sami, Karoline, and Anthony; great grandsons Luke and Alexander; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by sisters Helen Vavra, Valerie Yost, Victoria Zuber, Josephine Smith, and Rose Zenzel and brothers Frank and Alfred Vavra.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, September 04, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church, 217 First St., Coaldale with V. Rev. James Waermedic officiating. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery, Summit Hill. Call Wednesday 9-11:00 A.M. in the Church. Donations may be made in his name to the Lansford Little League or Diakon “Meals on Wheels” c/o the Sverchek-Blazosky Funeral Home, 340 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, PA 18232. Online condolences at www.blazoskyfh.com.

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