Michael Ciavarella

Michael Anthony Ciavarella, Sr., 86, of McCreary Road, Shippensburg, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 13, 2015 at the Chambersburg Hospital with his loving family at his side.

Born Sunday, May 26, 1929 in Altoona, he was a son of the late Matteo M. and Caterina M. Pompa Ciavarella.

Michael was a 1947 graduate of Altoona Catholic High School. He was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Korean War and spent his off-duty time singing for the Army Base Band in Fort Lewis, Washington. Michael received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate Degrees from Penn State University in Education. He retired in January 1998 from Shippensburg University as a Professor of Counselor Education after 34 years of service. He served as State Director of Pennsylvania ELDERHOSTEL from 1977-1997.
Professional awards that Michael received include Educator of the year award from The Pennsylvania Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and the 1990 National Career Development Association Merit Award for Distinguished Service in the areas of Career Development and Guidance. He was a member of several education associations.

Community activities include serving on the Catholic Charities Board of the Diocese of Harrisburg for 25 years, Shippensburg Lions Club for 50 years, and Cumberland Valley Mental Health Board in Chambersburg for 20 years. Michael was awarded the Papal Cross in 2007 for his work on the Catholic Charities Board.

Michael was a devoted husband, father, educator and believer in serving others through his Faith. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Linda Lou Harclerode Ciavarella; two sons, Michael A. (wife Christine) Ciavarella, II, of Carlisle, and Mark A. (wife Veronica) Ciavarella, of Williamsport; one sister, Margaret P. Moschella and five nieces, all of Altoona; and three step-grandchildren, Matthew, Marissa, and Melanie.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in birth and death by an infant brother, Michael A. Ciavarella.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg, with the Rev. Dominic M. DiBiccaro as Celebrant. Burial will be in Corpus Christi Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Shippensburg Veterans Council. A viewing will be held Tuesday, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil service held at 7:30 p.m. in the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home Inc.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004; Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111; or the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.