Andrew C. Bazar, 95, of Cressona, died today, May 26, 2015, at the home of his daughter, Susan Kramer, Schuylkill Haven, surrounded by the care of his loving family and excellent staff of Compassionate Care Hospice.

Born in Cressona, November 24, 1919, he was the son of Simon and Rosalie Pellack Bazar. He was a graduate of Cressona High School and entered the military service on April 25, 1942, during World War II. He trained in the 507 and 515 Paratroop Infantries and later served in the 296 Ordnance Company in the China-Burma-India theater of operations.

He worked as an engineer for the Reading Railroad Company and later for Conrail, retiring after 40 years of service. He ran the last passenger train to Pottsville in the early 80's.
Andrew was a member of Saint Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Cressona Historical Society, and the National Assn. of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, Inc. He was inducted into the Blue Mountain All Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 for his achievement in baseball. Andrew enjoyed hunting, farming, and doting on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Metro and Nicholas Bazar, and sisters, Mary Mitchell Cassidy, Anna Tarris, and Teresa Mallow, and his beloved wife, Jean Trometter Bazar, to whom he was married for 69 years. A daughter-in-law, Mary Blasko Bazar passed away in 2012.

Surviving are his children, Andrew W. Bazar, Scottsville, NY; Susan Kramer and husband Karl, Schuylkill Haven; Pamela McCutcheon and husband David, Orwigsburg; and Elizabeth Spotts and husband Jay, Schuylkill Haven; nieces and nephews.

Andrew had eight grandchildren: Christopher Kramer, Clarence, NY; Matthew Bazar, York, PA; Amy Anderson, Fargo, ND; Jill Kocher, Carlsbad, CA; Ellie Pelaez, McLean, VA; Jesse Spotts, Schuylkill Haven; Addie Sterner, Schuylkill Haven, and Kaitlin McCutcheon, Roxbury Crossing, MA. He also had six great-grandchildren: Piper and Paisley Anderson, Ethan and Eva Bazar, Andrew Pelaez, and Callen Sterner.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made to Saint Ambrose, R.C. Church, Schuylkill Haven or the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 386 Park Ave. S., 17 floor, NY, NY 10016-8804.

Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.