Jeffrey James Haraschak

January 27, 1980 - December 13, 2016

Jeffrey James Haraschak December 13, 2016
Jeffrey James Haraschak of Freeland passed away at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown from complications from a severe asthma attack. He was an organ donor.
The son of Barbara (Jeffreys) Haraschak and Emil James Haraschak. Jeffrey was a graduate of Hazleton Area High School, class of 1997. He attended Potomic State College of West Virginia, Luzerne Country Community College, and East Stroudsburg University where he earned a Bachalor Degree in Health and Physical Education and a Masters Degree from Wilkes University. While going to college he was employed at TGIF. Upon graduation he was employed at Camp Adams.
Jeffrey had a love of sports. He played Little League, Biddy and CYO basketball and excelled as a Hoop Shooter. He played middle school and High School Basketball, Cross Country, and Baseball. He played baseball for LCCC, and Potomic State of West Virginia. He was a referee and a PIAA Umpire. He was also well known for his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penquins.
Jeffrey taught Health and Physical Education in the HAHS Ninth Grade Center, Valley Elementary and Middle School, West Hazleton Elementary and Middle School, and the Twilight Program.
He coached girls basketball, CYO, and Biddy Basketball at the Freeland Y.M.C.A. He was the President of the Freeland Little League for two years and helped with coaching and management. He was also the assistant baseball coach of the Weatherly School District.
He was a member of the Park United Methodist Church and sang with the Freeland Interfaith Choir for a few years.
He was Chairman of the Hazleton Area High School Marching Band Pit Crew and member of the HAHS Band Parents organization.
Jeffrey had a love for all types of music but was specifically drawn to the music of Phish and the Grateful Dead. He attended concerts across the country and made friends where ever he went. Throughout his travels he united a lot of communities in this music scene with his outgoing personality, inviting smile, and willingness to always lend a helping hand, an ear, or some advice to those in need. His travels allowed him to meet and touch the hearts and souls of many, the most important being his wife “Lucky” Linda Massa. He was a loving husband to Linda and a father to three children that he adored. He was very involved in all of their lives.
He brought joy to many as Buddy the Elf at the Christmas in Conyngham in 2015.
Jeff is an inspiration to many with how he lived his life, always living in the moment. He had a big heart full of love that he was always willing to share, a warm and inviting soul, a smile that lit up rooms, and you knew when he entered the room, and when he did you could expect to get
one of Jeff’s famous hugs.
Preceeding him in death were his grandparents John and Betty (Hinkle) Jeffreys, and Emil and Irma (Good) Haraschak.
Surviving are his wife, “Lucky” Linda Massa, daughter Marlie Skye, sons Tristan Sage, Darian Steel, and his furry companion Willy the dog, his brother James Johnathan Haraschak, mother Barbara Jeffreys Haraschak, and father Emil James Haraschak, along with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.
A memorial service and tribute to his life will be held on January 21, at the Freeland Community Center. Service will be held from 12:00p.m.-4:00p.m. And a celebration of his life will be from 5:00p.m.-10:00p.m.
Donations will be accepted for a college fund for his three children at the Community Bank in Freeland and would be greatly appreciated.