Ernest H Deangelis

Ernest H. DeAngelis, 84, of Bethlehem died Tuesday Dec. 21st, while surrounded by his loving family in Atria, Hanover Township, Northampton County.

Ernie was the husband of the late Elizabeth I. Madl DeAngelis who died in 2005.

Born in Parlett, Ohio he was the son of the late Frank J. and Rose Martellucci DeAngelis

A graduate and standout athlete lettering in 3 sports of Liberty High School, received Honorable Mention as All-State Quarterback.

He proudly served with the U.S. Navy during WW II as a dental technician and Hospital Corpsman at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He graduated from Moravian College in 1949 where he was an outstanding athlete with three sports and quarterback of the football team.

After a successful career of 34 years in the Sales Dept. of Bethlehem Steel Corporation he retired in 1982.

After retirement from the Steel Company he became Director of Development for the former UCP where he initiated the lluminari night to benefit UCP.

He also was a fulltime instructor of Life Skills at Bethlehem Area Vo Tech. where he served as Secretary of the Board for 13 years.

Ernie was a tireless volunteer and leader for many local and national organizations.

One of his loves was the Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club where he was a member as a youth and later served on the Board of Directors of the Club for many years. He served as an officer of the Boys Club Fraternity and was a past chairman of the Banquet of Champions. He was one of the founding officers of the Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association serving as president in the 1980?s.

He was also a founding officer of the Boys and Girls Club of America National Alumni Association serving two productive terms as President in 1984 - 1985.

In 1987 he was awarded the Man and Boy Award by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for his ?Outstanding Leadership and Devotion to the Cause of Youth?.

He was the received the Edwin F. Van Billiard Award in 1988 in recognition of his more that 50 years involvement with the Boys and Girls Club.

Ernie?s input and energy were always appreciated. He volunteered for the former UCP of the Lehigh Valley, was a member of UNICO, which presented him with their Citizen of the Year award for Service above Self.

In 2002 he was presented the ?Legion of Honor Award? by the Chapel of Four Chaplains in recognition of Service to all people regardless of race and faith.

He and his wife were charter members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bethlehem

where he served in many leadership roles as the parish grew.

He will be dearly missed by his many friends and family. He is survived by his Daughters: Roberta DeAngelis wife of Hugh Gratz of Trenton, N.J., Annette wife of Dennis Cunerd of Bethlehem, and his son Ernest F. and his wife Mary Louise of Wescosville, PA.

He was very dedicated to his seven grandchildren: David, Michael, Leigh Anne, Andrew Jon, Christopher, Sarah and Lee and his great grandchildren Nora and Owen.

He is also survived by his brothers: Thomas, Paul, and Angelo and his sisters: Helen DeAngelis and Margarite Spadaccia.

He was preceded in death by his sisters: Amelia Horninger and Margaret Salminen, Mary Hengstenberger and his brothers: Peter, Michael Petrila,

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thrusday at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 3229 Santee Road Bethlehem

The Family will receive friends on Thursday 9:30 to 10: 50 a.m. at the church.

Memorials may be made in Ernie?s name to Bethlehem Boys and Girsl Club 1430 Fritz Drive Bethlehem, PA