Charles W. Sakoski

Charles “Chuck” Sakoski, 94, of Hanover Township, PA., died Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Mercy Center Nursing Home, Dallas, PA.  He was born in Hanover Township, April 8, 1923, and was the son of the late Charles Sakoski, Sr. and Wilma (Nancarrow) Sakoski. 

He was a graduate of Kingston High School and attended Penn State Extension.  He studied with Capital Radio Engineering Institute and US Army Communication School. 

He began employment as a radio operator at WBRE Radio and Lackawanna Valley Broadcasting Co. as chief engineer.  Subsequently, he became an engineering supervisor for WBRE-TV, and was employed with the station, until his retirement.  

His military experience included a stint with the PA State Guard as a communications chief, and subsequently, served with the US army during World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving as a chief engineer and detachment commander of the American Forces Network in Nurenburg, Germany.

He was a member of Hanover Township VFW Post 5267, American Legion Post 132, Wilkes-Barre,and the Hanover Township AMVETS.  He was a deputy of AMVETS VAVS, Veterans Hospital, past master of Lodge 655, F&AM; member of York Rite Bodies and 32nd degree, Caldwell Consistory.  He also was affiliated with Irem Temple Stagecrafters, of which he is a past president and director of work, Pastmasters Club and Wilkes-Barre Shrine Club, and a member of Elks Lodge 109.  He also was a member of the Antique and Classic Cars Unit.

Other memberships and affiliations include the National Rifle Association, life member of North American Hunting Club, member of Deer Run Lodge, Bradford County, Society of Broadcast Engineers, Chapter 2 of Northeastern PA, of which he served as chairman for many years, and was a member of its board of directors.  As a certified senior broadcast engineer, he was a certification chairman for new engineers.

He was a HAM radio operator and was a member of Broadcaster Amateur Radio Club from WBRE TV.

He was a past president of Notre Dame Club of Hanover Township.

He was a member of the Wyoming Valley Crime Clinic, where he served as president of the board of directors, second vice president, and as its president in 2002.

Chuck enjoyed the outdoors, hunting at Deer Run Lodge in Wyalusing, PA and many wonderful years fishing and relaxing at the family cottage, on Limerick Lake, Ontario, Canada.

He married his caring and loving wife, the late Della Sakoski, in 1947, and lived 61 years together.  Also preceding him in death, was his grandson, Brent Postupak.  He is survived by a daughter, Donna Palmentere and her husband Charlie, Dallas, PA., son Charlie and his wife Chris, Harveys Lake, PA and grandsons Chad Sakoski and David Oatridge, and great granddaughter, Reilly Oatridge.  Also surviving are his brother, Robert Clement, Los Angeles, CA, and sister, Louise Offshack, Tunkhannock, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Thursday, at Kniffen O'Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. , 465 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA., from 10 AM - 12 PM. A Service to Celebrate Chuck’s Life will begin at 12:00 PM with Reverend Carol E. Coleman, of Luzerne United Methodist Church officiating.  Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mercy Center, Dallas, PA and also Hospice of the Sacred Heart, for his wonderful care, which they provided. Memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 or Blue Chip Farm Animal Rescue, 974 Lockville Rd., Dallas, PA 18612.

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