This page is dedicated to the Remembrance of our Brothers who have passed. Information is posted as it becomes available. An e-mail is sent to the Brethren so that they are made aware and able to pay their respects as they see fit. You can Click on a Brother’s name to read a brief obituary about him.
Masonic Funeral Services are an honorable way for Masons to pay homage to their Brothers who have passed. But one must make his wishes known to his family or funeral director – the Lodge does not provide these services unless they are requested.
Bro. Sheldon “Bucky” E. MacAvoy, PM – Life Member
RICHMOND, Va. — Sheldon “Bucky” Evans MacAvoy passed away on Nov. 10, 2019, in Richmond, Va. Mr. MacAvoy was a native of Shavertown and was born on Feb. 24, 1932 to the late Stanley Robert MacAvoy and Elizabeth Wood Evans MacAvoy. He was a proud member of the 1949 class of Kingston Township High School.
He served in the United States Army until his Honorable Discharge on March 3, 1955. He returned to the Back Mountain where he began work for his uncle at Evans Rexall Drug Store. He worked many years as a salesman for MAC tools and then worked 10 years as a Corrections Officer at the State Correctional Institute at Dallas.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for almost 60 years. He was also a member of the George M. Dallas Masonic Lodge and was a Past Master. Bucky enjoyed traveling with his wife, skiing, golfing, swimming and fishing. Cherished memories were of hunting with his Uncle Shel and, in later years, hunting with his sons and grandsons.
Bucky was predeceased by the love of his life, Ethel Mae Smith, with whom he shared almost 66 years of married life. He is survived by his four children, daughter Judy Powell (Wayne); son Dan (Janice), son Tom (Wanda) and daughter Sue Sweet (Chris). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Michael Powell, Becky Cox (John), Sarah Arnold (Joel), Josh MacAvoy (Christie), Christa Threlfall (Jonathan), Tom MacAvoy (Cheyanne), Jennifer Marks (Seth), Nathan MacAvoy (Martha), Amanda Stevens, Erick Sweet and Laura Sweet as well as the blessing of 27 great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Lois Helfrich (Paul) and his dearest friends, Bill and Jean Long of Trucksville.
Visitation with the family will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dallas with the Funeral Service at 11 a.m.
Interment will follow at Mount Greenwood Cemetery in Trucksville.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 474 Yalick Road – P.O. Box 802, Dallas, PA 18612 or the local Alzheimer’s Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc., corner of Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.
Bro. Donald E. Carter Jr.
SWEET VALLEY — Donald E. Carter Jr., age 62, of Sweet Valley, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, at home.
He was born in Wilkes-Barre on Sept. 5, 1957, and was the son of Donald E. Carter Sr., of Sweet Valley, and the late Lois Davies Carter.
Donald retired from SCI-Retreat as a corrections officer after 30 years of service. He coached mini football and wrestling for Lake-Lehman. Donald possessed a wonderfully strange sense of humor and enjoyed playing unique practical jokes on his family and friends. He was a member of the George M. Dallas Masonic Lodge #531, Dallas.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by son, Sean Carter and brother, Scott Carter.
In addition to his father, Donald is survived by his wife of 28 years, the former Kathleen Martz; sons, Donald E. Carter III, Kristopher Carter and Bryan Carter and his wife, Elspeth; brothers, Jeffrey Carter and Mark Carter; and sister, Sherry Carter.
A visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, at the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc., corners of Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.
Private interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Lake Township.
Bro. Mahmoud H. Fahmy
DALLAS — Dr. Mahmoud H. Fahmy, Ph.D., 88, of Dallas, passed away peacefully on Sept. 23, 2019, surrounded by his wife of 60 years, Irandukht Vahidi Fahmy; his children, Roya Fahmy, of Scranton, Dr. Raef (Bethanne) Fahmy, of Newburyport, Mass., and Randa Fahmy, of Washington, D.C.; and grandchildren Jared, Trevor and Kira Fahmy, Alexandria Hudome and Alana Swartz.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, on Oct. 1, 1930, Dr. Fahmy was the fourth of nine children born to Hussein Fahmy and Mounira El Sayed. He devoted his entire life to the noble pursuit of education and encouraged others to do so as well. He completed his undergraduate education at Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. He bravely left his birth country of Egypt to come to America in 1958 to study at Columbia University in New York City, where he obtained his master’s degree in education and history. He continued his educational pursuits at Syracuse University in New York where he received his doctoral degree in philosophy. He subsequently taught at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, and Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, where he had an accomplished 30-year career as an academic and administrator.
Dr. Fahmy loved the United States of America and quickly became a naturalized U.S. citizen. His infectious optimism was reflected in his favorite saying, “I am an American by choice.” He strongly believed in civic service to America, and to the social, cultural and educational institutions in his community, the Wyoming Valley. He devoted a great deal of time volunteering on various boards and local community organizations in Luzerne County. He was often called upon by the community for his expertise and knowledge of global affairs and Middle East politics, providing media commentary and lectures. He strongly believed in interfaith cooperation and led one of the first interfaith delegations to Egypt and Israel after the Camp David Accords were signed in 1978. He and his wife, Iran, traveled around the world in pursuit of international education, having visited more than 50 countries.
A private Islamic burial took place on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. A public memorial service where family will be receiving condolences will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Wilkes University Henry Student Center, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre.
The family would like to express its sincerest thanks to the professional staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Mercy Center Skilled Nursing.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Mahmoud H. Fahmy, Ph.D., Scholarship at Wilkes University, Office of Advancement, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, or online at www.wilkes.edu/give.
Bro. Robert Bond
Born in Plymouth, he was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Butson Bond. He attended the Plymouth Schools and, like so many of the young men of that generation, he left school to fight for his country. He served his country as a buck sergeant tech 4 grade with the U.S. Army for four years, stationed in both France and Germany. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
He was employed by Foster Wheeler Corporation in Mountain Top for 28 years as a class “A” mechanic, repairing Lathe machines and cranes. He was a former member of George M. Dallas Lodge 531 Free and Associated Masons, Dallas, and the Irem Shrine, Dallas. Bob was also a member of Grace Community Church, Dallas, where he served as usher for many years.
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, the former Catherine Keller; son, Robert R. Bond; daughter, Alberta Bond Slabinski; granddaughter, Colleen Slabinski; sisters, Loretta, Anna, Elizabeth, Shirley and Alberta; and brothers, Joseph and Edward.
Bob was friendly and always willing to help others in need. He enjoyed playing golf, bridge, hunting, fishing, dancing to Big Band music and traveling.
Surviving are his close friend, Helen Tanski; grandchildren, Heather, Bobby and Joseph Bond; Jeff Slabinski and his wife, Shannon; Christopher Slabinski and Kimberly Bowen; and many great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are under the direction of Richard H. Disque Funeral Home Inc., 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas.
