Paul A. Varenick, age 66 of Shenandoah Heights passed away peacefully Thursday evening at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, Pottsville.

Born in Shenandoah on May 12, 1948 he was a son of the late Anthony (Varenick) Antz and Rosemary (Downey) Varenick.

He was a 1966 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.

Paul retired from Air Products & Chemicals, Inc, Hometown as a fluorine plant operator for 22 ½ years. Prior to that he worked at former Penn Dye, now Guilford Mills, Pine Grove for 9 ½ years. He was first employed for Antz Plumbing & Heating Distribution Company, Shenandoah.

He was of the Catholic Faith and was a member of the Park Crest Fish & Game, Brandonville. He was also a former softball coach for the Shenandoah Area Girls' Softball League.

Paul was a history buff and an avid reader. He enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. He was a skilled plumber, pipefitter, electrician and was always willing to offer a helping hand to family and friends.

Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were one brother Christopher (Varenick) Antz; maternal grandparents, Joseph and Isabelle Downey and paternal grandparents, Charles Warenick and Bridget Warenick Walker; an uncle and aunt, William and Bernadette Fleming and his faithful friend, Tia , his Akita dog.

Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Martine Tina (Covelusky) Varenick; two daughters, Jessica L. (Varenick) Kowalski and her husband Edward of Shenandoah Heights and Michelle L. Varenick of North Wales; one sister, Cynthia (Varenick) Skale and her husband Steve of California; cousins Linda and Cheryl Fleming of Philadelphia; his godchild, Hollie Ann (McAfee) Brennan of Forked River, NJ; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and additional cousins.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 am from Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. A Mass of Christian Burial will then be celebrated at 11:30 am in Saint Casimir Church, sacred worship site of Divine Mercy Parish, 229 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Rev. Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor will officiate. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Hillside SPCA, Inc., PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.