Rev. Valentine R. Plevyak

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REV. VALENTINE R. PLEVYAK, athlete, gentleman, clergyman of Carbondale, PA, Resi-dent of Sugar Notch, PA. He attended Carbondale and Fell Township High Schools, and is a graduate of Fell Township High School class of 1935. As a baseball player he starred as an outstanding centerfielder for four years. His stellar baseball performance earned him the distinction of being one of the best high school amateur and semi-pro baseball players developed in the northeastern region. A triple threat performer on the diamond field starring as a batter, base-runner, and as a defensive outfielder. At the age of 16 he played in the old N.E.P. semi-pro league with Simpson. He also played in the Wyoming Valley League, St. Mary’s, Plymouth in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. Father also played with the Wyoming Valley League All-Stars against the Wilkes-Barre Barons in the 1950’s, and also against the Major League All-Stars team. Father Plevyak as a young aggressive player at the age of 16 had received numerous baseball opportunities from Major League baseball organizations, but his main concern was first a college education. He attended and graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1940. He was ordained a priest from St. Bonaventure Seminary in 1944. During his tenure as a priest, Father Plevyak played amateur baseball until 55 years of age. Father Plevyak was an outstanding bowler for many years in the fast leagues, both in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. While he is proud of bowling in ABC, state and area tournaments, he takes great pride in his 299 game in an ABC-sanctioned game. His bowling average was in the 190’s. Father bowled with and against some outstanding and nationally known bowlers, like Frank Clause, a select member of the National Bowling Hall of Fame, who bowled 52 perfect 300 games. He also bowled George Billick, the first to bowl 17 perfect 300 games in ABC-sanctioned events. Father, an avid golfer, received many trophies, many were won in competition with his fellow priests in the Wilkes-Bane-Scranton area. He also competes at the St. Bonaventure Reunion at E. Aurora, NY. Rev. Valentine R. Plevyak is pastor at the Holy Family Church, Main Street, Sugar Notch, PA, for the past thirteen years.