Jack Ratarsky

Jack "The Whistler" Ratarsky, 81, of Bethlehem, passed away on January 25, 2010.

He was the husband of Lucille Breidenbach Ratarsky. They were married for 23 years on December 29, 2009.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on February 20, 1928; he was the son of the late Morris and Julia Ratarsky.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Jack coached basketball at the Jewish Community Center of Allentown for 24 years. An avid golfer, he was the Locust Valley Country Club Champion in 1984. He was also a member of the Y.M.C.A. of Bethlehem for many years.

Jack was the former owner of Muriel and Chickadee Dress Companies of Bethlehem and the Coplay Dress Company in Coplay. He was also President of P.I.T.A. Management Company of Allentown and at the present time was employed by the Northampton County Housing Authority.

He is survived by his wife; son, Scott and his wife Linda of Knoxville, TN; daughter, Sheryle Leekley of Los Angeles, CA; Stepson, Scott Hawk, Sr. and his wife Colleen of Bethlehem; three grandchildren; Jimmy Simonetti of Knoxville, TN; Annalise and Sophia Leekley of Los Angeles, CA as well as four step grandchildren, Scott Hawk, Jr., Marissa DePriest, Katelynn Guranich and Michael Murphy all of Bethlehem and a step great grandchild Kadin Hawk of Bethlehem.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 6-9 PM at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem and again at the funeral home on Friday, January 29, 2010 from 10-11 AM with a ceremony to celebrate Jack's life to immediately follow officiated by Pastor William Kuntze.

Interment will be held at Bethlehem Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jack's memory may be made to VNA Hospice of St. Luke's 1510 Valley Center Parkway Suite 200 Bethlehem, PA 18017 and/or the American Cancer Society 3893 Adler Place Bethlehem PA 18017.