Paul E. Yucha

Paul E. Yucha, 81, of Sunbury, entered the presence of his Creator on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a friend and example to many.

Paul was born Oct. 24, 1942, in Baltimore, a son of the late Paul A. and Victoria Yucha.

He shared 58 years of marriage with his best friend and high school sweetheart, Kathleen S. Ference.

He was a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University, and earned his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Paul taught for two years at Trinity High School in Camp Hill, where he coached their first basketball team. He then taught biology at Shikellamy High School for 37 years, where he also served for many years as the lead negotiator for the teachers’ union.

He could frequently be seen around town chatting with his former students and continued to address many of them by the fun nicknames that he gave them in high school.

Paul ran a weekly adult recreation league in the 1980s for men to gather and play basketball.

He co-coordinated the Summer Youth Employment Program, connecting local students with summer jobs. He also ran a GED program, which was held at Shikellamy High School.

He coached one of the first Pennsylvania Special Olympic basketball teams, meeting up with other first teams from New York and New Jersey. The Special Olympics World Games now includes basketball among their team sports.

Paul enjoyed gardening and sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle.

In addition to his wife, Kathleen, Paul is survived by his twin son and daughter Mark Yucha (Fiona) and Jennifer Marsala (Anthony) and his son Michael Yucha (Erin); grandchildren Sorcha, Declan, John, Madelyn, and Stella; one sister, Rosemary Jacoski; one brother, Dr. Thomas Yucha (Rita); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Edward Jacoski.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood at your next local blood drive, or making a memorial donation to St. Monica Catholic Church or to your favorite charity.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, April 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Zweier Funeral Home, 157 Chestnut St., Sunbury. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, April 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church, 109 Market St., Sunbury.

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