Obituaries

Funeral Service Set for Chuck Panuska, Longtime Optimist, Parade Organizer

The Optimist Club of Dundalk member was chairman of Dundalk's Independence Day parade for many years.

Longtime Dundalk resident Charles Joseph "Chuck" Panuska died Dec. 30. He was 83.

Panuska was a lifetime member of the Optimist Club of Dundalk and while he was a "behind the scenes" man, he played a vital role for many years in one of Greater Dundalk's more visible events—he chaired the town's 4th of July parade.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Panuska's life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Rita Catholic Church, 2907 Dunleer Road. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, according to the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk website.

Panuska is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bernadine Shirley Panuska; sons Allan (Gina) and Keith (Kelly) and daughter Katherine Harlow (Jody); brother The Rev. Joseph Allan Panuska S.J.; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and Joseph Panuska, brothers William and John Panuska and sister Maryann Grzmala, according to the funeral home's death notice.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk, 7110 Sollers Point Road.


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