Peter P. Kassab, Sr.

Peter P. Kassab, Sr., age 83, 521 Zehner St., Bloomsburg, died at 3:06 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he was a patient for two weeks.

Born in Wilkes-Barre on March 13, 1928, he was a son of the late Paul S. and Rose (Joseph) Kassab.

He was a 1946 graduate of GAR High School, Wilkes-Barre. Following graduation he moved to Bloomsburg where he established Kassab Brothers Steel, operating the business until his death.

Peter was a devout member of St. Columba Catholic Church, Bloomsburg, where he was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. He also was a member of St. George Maronite Church, Wilkes-Barre. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Peter was a direct descendant of Saint Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini, who was canonized in 2004. Peter and his wife attended the ceremonies in Rome.

He was a past-president of the Bloomsburg Lions Club and a life member of Bloomsburg Elks Lodge 436.

The last of his immediate family, he was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, James, in 1966 and a daughter Linda in 2009.

Surviving are his wife, the former Margaret A. Ash, with whom he celebrated his 58th wedding anniversary on August 12, 2010; two sons: Peter Paul Kassab, Jr., and his wife Diane, Alexandria, Va. And Stephen M. Kassab, and his wife Michelle, Petersburg, Va.; a daughter, Mary E., wife of Gary Rubenstein, Sanford, N.C.; ten grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Monday from 4-6 p.m. at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. from St. George Maronite Chapel, 79 Loomis St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Fr. Hanna Karam officiating. Interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township.

The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to a charity of the donor’s choice.