Edward Kowalyk, Sr

Edward B. Kowalyk Sr., 70, died Thursday at his home in Scranton after a sudden and courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of the late Bonnie A. (Sanford) Kowalyk, to whom he was married for 36 years.

Born March 3, 1947, in Scranton, Ed was the son of the late Edward Adam Kowalyk and the late Kenneth and Lois (Price) Gorman.

Ed graduated from West Scranton High School and earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Penn State University. He worked for many years as a truck driver for Kane Trucking Co. Ed loved fishing and was an avid Philadelphia sports fan, but most of all enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving are two sons, Edward B. Kowalyk Jr. (Nicole) and Randolph E. Smith, both of Scranton; one daughter, Erica M. Defreitas (David) of Scranton; a sister, Suzanne Maithel (Peter) of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by a son, James W. Smith III, and daughter, Angel Gibbs.

The funeral service will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Jennings Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, with services by Eric Zukowski. Interment to follow at Abington Hills Cemetery, South Abington Twp.

The family will receive relatives and friends Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , donate.cancer.org. For directions, or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.