John “Larry” Saraka, 89, died Feb. 8, 2021, in Legend of Allentown Assisted Living, Macungie.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late John and Marie Shesko Saraka and the late Margaret Zdancewicz Saraka.

A 1949 graduate of Edwardsville High School, he then entered the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War. Following his service in the Navy he attended and graduated from Bloomsburg University, where he obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education.

He also attended Syracuse University and North Carolina State University.

He taught high school business courses in the Lackawanna Trail School District, the Palmerton School District and the Parkland School District, before retiring in 1990.

For many years, he served as a PIAA track official in District 11.

He was predeceased by brothers John and William Zdancewicz.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, Antoinette (Zampetti) Saraka, he is survived by a son Larry Saraka and his wife, Karen, of Lusby, Md.; granddaughters Lauren Saraka and her fiancé, Corbin Hoenicke, Erin Saraka and fiancé, Michael Vanduzer, and Kasey Dunphy and her husband, Nick; sister Marian Petro of Trucksville; and nieces and nephews.

A private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family from the Nat and Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Sister’s of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 or to St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield, PA 18069.

Condolences may be sent by visiting his obituary at natandgawlas.com.

Local arrangements were made by Keller Funeral Homes Inc., Fogelsville.