Max Bartikowsky, 92, previously of Forty Fort, handed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at Highland Park Senior Dwelling, Wilkes-Barre Twp.

Max was born in 1930 in Wilkes-Barre to the late Bernard and Camilla Tintner Bartikowsky.

Raised on Franklin Road in Wilkes-Barre, Max grew to become one thing of an area movie star as a child; he was the inspiration for cartoonist Ham Fisher’s “Little Max” within the Joe Palooka caricature, which ran in as much as 900 newspapers nationwide for over 50 years.

Max was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, the College of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Faculty and Wilkes College. He additionally served within the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955.

He accomplished the Gemological Institute of America’s Diamond Grading coaching, after which he grew to become the president and CEO of his third-generation household enterprise, Bartikowsky Jewelers on South Most important Road in Wilkes-Barre. The store celebrated 125 profitable years in enterprise earlier than closing in 2013.

All through his life, Max was actively concerned in numerous group packages, supported numerous charitable and civic organizations and was honored many instances over. Max was a previous board member of the Jewish Group Heart, Wilkes-Barre Lions Membership and Temple Israel amongst others. Donations he made contributed to refurbishing school rooms at Wyoming Seminary and constructing an up to date JCC facility in Kingston. He had been acknowledged by the Higher Wilkes-Barre Affiliation for the Blind, Masonic Lodge 65 Caldwell Consistory – Irem Temple, the Anti-Defamation League, Wyoming Valley Household Service Affiliation, American Coronary heart Affiliation and Junior Achievement Corridor of Fame, amongst many others.

However Max might have been greatest generally known as a loyal accomplice of a few years to the love of his life, Anna Cervenak, who died in 2015.

Along with Anna and his mother and father, he’s preceded in demise by a brother, Leonard (Bart) Bartikowsky; and a sister, Jane Bartikowsky Karnofsky.

Max is survived by his sister-in-law, Marilyn Bartikowsky; nieces, Nancy (Jeff) Palumbo, Little Silver, N.J.; Jill Bartikowsky, Houston, Texas; and Ellen (Scott) Levithan, Lansdale; Anna’s niece and nephew, Meg (Derek) Cervenak Brown and John (Nancy) Cervenak Jr.; and plenty of cousins, prolonged members of the family and buddies.

Max was a real businessman however extra importantly a real philanthropist. He liked his Sunday pool get-togethers, going to the racetrack (particularly to observe his horses), basketball and tennis, his time spent in Florida and his cherished beagles, Sparkle, Coco and Chanel.

He was particularly identified for his dedication to the group. He will likely be sadly missed by many.

Graveside companies will likely be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Temple Israel Cemetery, 212 Dennison St., Swoyersville. These wishing to pay their respects are invited from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Friday to the Jewish Group Heart, 613 SJ Strauss Lane, Kingston.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Max Bartikowsky Endowment at both Temple Israel, 613 SJ Strauss Lane, Kingston, PA 18704 or the Jewish Group Heart, 613 SJ Strauss Lane, Kingston, PA 18704, two organizations which have been an essential a part of Max’s life.

Preparations are below the path of Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, www.RosenbergFuneralChapel.com.

Revealed by Residents Voice on Oct. 19, 2022.