Walter Lubaczewski

Walter Lubaczewski, a resident of East Rockhill for more than 65 years, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Quakertown home of his daughter and son-in-law, Christine and John Handschin, where he recently moved. He was 91.

Born in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia, to Tadaus and Anna, Walter and his siblings relocated to New Britain and later to Sellersville/Perkasie area, when the influenza epidemic of 1917 claimed his father.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (Mandic) Lubaczewski, one older sister, Bernice (Lubaczewski) Fermanski, and one stepbrother, Chester Henik.

In addition to his daughter, Christine, he is survived by his daughter, Bernice Lubaczewski of Haycock Township; two grandchildren, Paul J. Lubaczewski and Jonnie Marie Handschin; and one great-grandchild, Alarick Lubaczewski.

Until his retirement in 1981, Walter was employed as a union carpenter with Philadelphia Local 1595. Previous to that, he had been employed by the former Perkasie Foundry, the former C.D. Moyer Meats, and Rohm-Haas Chemical Co.

Walter was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman who enjoyed fishing, trapping, hunting, bee-keeping and gardening. During the 1960s, he operated a mink ranch from his East Rockhill property.

He also experimented with grafting fruit trees and growing hybrid strawberries. As a young man, he worked both as a bee-keeper and hunting guide in the Lake of the Woods region of Northern Minnesota. Walter also was a self-taught violinist who loved classical music. He both played and collected violins, violas and cellos.

A graveside memorial service will be held Tuesday followed by interment at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, in Applebachsville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral Home, 20 N. Ambler St., Quakertown, PA 18951. Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral Home,