Paul Chernaskey Chernay, 90, a member of Saint Nicholas Church here and Trustee Emeritus of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary [STOTS], South Canaan, PA, fell asleep in the Lord on January 5, 2017.
The son of the late Roman and Rona [Orischak] Chernaskey, Paul was married for 52 years to Betty Jo [Bussey] Chernay, who fell asleep in the Lord in 1998. A veteran of World War II, he served with the US Navy as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate Second Class in Europe and North Africa. He was owner of Chernay Printing, Inc., which he founded in 1966, as well as PBC Guitars, Inc. and Paul’s Cantina. He also enjoyed success in his real estate ventures.
A generous benefactor of both Saint Tikhon’s Seminary and his parish, Paul was awarded the Order of Saint Innocent Silver Class for his zealous support and in recognition of his love and generosity for others. On May 25, 2013, he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa by the seminary for his continual support of the Saint Tikhon community and the Orthodox Church.
Though Paul was preceded in death by his most of his immediate family, his twin sister, Pauline Chernaskey Kasick; loving grandchildren: Lisa Ward Arnold and her husband Barri-Jami, Laura Ward, and Nicholas Chernay, together with many nieces and nephews were present at the funeral, which was celebrated on Monday, January 9 at Bethlehem’s Saint Nicholas Church. His Eminence, Archbishop Michael of New York, STOTS Rector, presided at the funeral, assisted by Archpriest James Weremedic, Rector of Saint Nicholas Church; Archpriests Steven Voytovich and Dennis Swencki, STOTS Dean and CFO respectively; Archpriest James Mason; and Priest Jason Vansuch, whose father, the late Archpriest Eugene Vansuch, had served Saint Nicholas Church as Paul’s pastor.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Saint Nicholas Church, 980 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem, PA, 18017 and/or Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, PO Box 130 South Canaan, PA, 18459.
May Paul’s memory be eternal!