Obituary of John Andrew Harowicz

John Andrew Harowicz “Smokey," 91, of Plains Township, was taken to Heaven’s Garden to walk with his Lord in the early morning hours on Saturday, April 22, 2023, while in the comforting care of his loving family at his home. Born in the family homestead in the Scranton Patch section of Wilkes-Barre, on October 25, 1931, John was the last surviving of eleven children of the late Joseph and Josephine Maciejczyk Harowicz. John grew up in the Patch and attended St. Stanislaus Elementary School and was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, class of 1949. He then enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves, and, after his term of service, he was honorably discharged. Returning home to the area, he was employed by the Cohen-Fine Clothing Factory of Wilkes-Barre. John worked in the shipping department and joked about taking care of the factory furnace. During this time, he met a fellow co-worker Bernadine Wojcik, who, on June 27, 1953, became his wife. Together, over the next few years, their family grew with the births of their three sons: John, Joseph, and Richard. After several years at Cohen-Fine, John began working for the Greater Northeastern Distributor (G.N.D.) as a media distributor for the company servicing the Wyoming Valley. He worked for G.N.D. for thirty-four years until his retirement. Retiring didn’t stop John from working; he still worked at the Pocono Downs Racetrack as one of the program sellers for the daily races. When he was home, you could find him in his garden growing his tomatoes that he would share with everyone. He also enjoyed cooking, especially on Sundays, when he would have his family over for dinner. He took great pride in making sure that everyone who visited his home had a good meal. Even if someone slept overnight, he would make them ham and dippy eggs for breakfast. John was a very loving and giving person who enjoyed shopping at different stores looking for the best bargains. He single handedly bankrupted the Dollar Store with his bargain shopping. At his core, John was a devout Catholic. Over his life, he was a member of St. Stanislaus Church; St. Andre Bessette Church; and he was a current parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Plains Twp. In Heaven’s Garden, John joins his loving parents, Joseph and Josephine; son, John (Hymie); great grandson, Gunner J.C. Harowicz- Hayes; brothers: Theodore Harowicz, Francis Harowicz, and Joseph Rogoski; sisters: Blanche Wychock, Victoria Wasley, Genevieve Martini, Antionette Luzack, Stella Guss, Molly McCormick, and Sister Mary Josene. Surviving to mourn his passing are his wife of sixty-nine years, Bernadine, Plains; sons: Joseph, Plains Twp.; Richard and his wife Marcia, Mountain Top; daughter-in-law: Sandra Harowicz, Plains; grandchildren: Stacy Chronowski and her husband Ed; Holly Banja and her husband Ed; Christina Kluger and her husband Michael; Becky Hayes and her husband Kevin; Marissa Chapman and her husband Michael; Margaret “Maggie” Harowicz; Joseph Harowicz Jr.; great grandchildren: Taylor, Logan, Ethan, Amelia, Luke, Zachariah, Madelynn, Miles, Scarlett, Phoenix, Kilian, Jaxon, Makayla, and one more coming in August; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation and Mass of Christian Burial to be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Twp. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the beginning of Mass at 10:00 a.m. Mass will be officiated by Father Tom Muldowney. Interment with Rite of Committal and military honors will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Plains Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's memory may be given to the Collaborative Autism Movement at https://www.collaborativeautismmovement.com