Andrew (Bucky) Wesnak

May 19, 1937 - December 24, 2020

Andrew (Bucky)Wesnak, 83, of Schnecksville and formerly of Scranton, PA passed away at home, Thursday, Dec 24, 2020 surrounded by family and loved ones. He and his wife, Justine (Mello) were married for 63 years. A native of Scranton, PA he was born there to Andrew Wesnak and Helen (Goschinsky) on May 19, 1937 at Moses Taylor Hospital. He graduated from Taylor Hgh School and Johnson College, Dickson City where he was an honor student and served as Senior Class President. Upon graduation Bucky was recruited to work for Western Electric, known then as, “The Allentown Works”; although the plant changed names to AT&T Technologies and when he retired after 42 years, from the same location, the company was known as Lucent. He began his career as a tool & die maker; years later, as technology began to change, he maintained microscopes. Both positions called for him to travel throughout the plant; Bucky’s likeable, helpful and loyal personality made him many friends, some of them life long. He received countless notes for visits from individuals who, “Just wanted to say thanks”, for some kindness he had performed for them. This compassionate and caring side of Bucky earned him the gratitude, love and respect of many who worked with him”on the Boulevard”. Bucky also worked with the Public Relations crew and chaired many Christmas dances, parties and golf outings. Many events ended with a fun social at the Wesnak residence. During his work at the Boulevard, he played Santa to the residents of Good Shepherd Home, Mercy Day School and other “Not for Profit” organizations. He passed that duty on to his son, Drew, who said, “Now I know why Dad was so mellow before the holidays”. The Wesnaks shared many stories full of fun and sometimes tears when Bucky retold his experiences as Santa. Bucky will be remembered by the hundreds of young ball players who made up the teams he coached for decades. He and John Dreher coached the West End Youth Center “City Biddies” for more than 15 consecutive years. He also coached basketball and later he was an assistant football coach of the Alton Park Champion teams. He loved sports of all kinds and in addition to playing in the golf league from work he also played softball with several winning teams. He had to give up even playing golf when he broke his back in 2016. He walked with a walker since then but if you asked him how he was doing he always said “Great”. In addition to sports Bucky loved to travel to Hawaii and the Bahamas where he and Justine vacationed every 2 years since Bucky retired in 1999. However what he enjoyed most was when the whole family vacationed in Stone Harbor every Summer since 1967 for 3 weeks and then after he retired for the month of August. SURVIVORS: his wife, Justine and three sons: Drew and wife Sharon Wesnak of Whitehall, Michael Wesnak of Schnecksville and fincee Wanda Goins and Paul and wife Sue Wesnak of Schnecksville; a granddaughter, Emily Taylor and husband Chad, and eight other grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren: Lillyanna, Jameson and McKenna the last one is Cassia Taylor. Surviving also is a sister-in-law Lucille Sacchetti, widow of Anthony and brother-in-law Guy and wife, Linda Pilosi. He had many grand and great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brother, and family: William & Rita Wesnak and grand-niece Shaunna; sisters: Margie Rideski and Evelyn Hunter. The family strongly prefers donations to: PVR Scholarship of the National Slovak Society, 351 Valley Brook Rd., McMurray, PA 15317 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements by the Robert C Weir Funeral Home.