Rev. Paul Baranek, 89

May 09, 2023

Rev. Paul Baranek, 89, passed away at Luther Acres, Lititz, PA, on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. He shared 35 years of marriage with his wife Martha Stava Baranek.

Born in New York City with Slovakian heritage, Paul was the son of the late Paul and Anna (Sukup) Baranek. He earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Fairleigh Deckinson University as well as a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Philadelphia Seminary.

Rev. Baranek served as a minister for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Social Services. He founded, built, and ministered to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Union, NJ. Next, he was the Director of Advance Gifts in New York City for the National Lutheran Church. Other positions included serving as development officer for Tressler Lutheran Services in Topton, NJ, and for Lutheran Services East in York, PA, before retiring at age 62. In addition to his various positions serving the Lord, Rev. Baranek served as a Supply Pastor.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lancaster, and when not able to travel he worshipped at Luther Acres with his wife Martha.

Paul earned his pilot’s license in the early 1980’s flyting Cessnas. He was an avid gardener of flowers and vegetables. Paul and Martha enjoyed travelling the world with his work top for the church to Tanzania, Liberia, and Japan, and throughout the United States both with his work and on leisure trips.

He was a devout Christian and down-to-earth man who always had time to stop and chat with people in all walks of life. Quite a people person, Paul loved to converse with anyone he came upon. In his later years, Paul could be found at his computer compiling his memoirs of a Christian life well lived.

In addition to his wife Martha, Paul is survived by his son John Baranek, husband of Barbara of Asbury, NJ, son David Baranek, husband of the late Deborah of Lebanon, NJ, son Stephen Baranek, husband of Diane of North, VA, son, Mark Baranek, husband of Sherry of Hampton, NJ, son William Scott Sanford, III, husband of Carolyn of Pittsburgh, PA, daughter Donna Pierce of Frostburg, MD, son Kenneth Sanford, husband of Kim of Hershey, PA, and daughter Patricia Thompson, wife of Steven of Centreville, MD; 23 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; and his sister Anne Cvicker, wife of the late John of Convent Station, NJ.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his first wife of 30 years, Anne Skaritka Baranek, who died in 1986.

A celebration of Rev. Baranek’s life will take place at 11 AM with The Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Verkouw officiating, immediately followed by the viewing and family greeting, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. in the Community Room at Luther Acres, 600 E. Main St, Lititz, PA.

Please omit flowers, and kindly consider mailing a contribution in Paul’s memory to the Luther Acres Caring Fund, 600 E. Main Street, Lititz, PA 17543.

A second memorial will be held on May 19, 2023, at Victory Cathedral, 301 Tucker Avenue, Union, NJ, at 1:00pm. Interment will follow in Hollywood Memorial Garden, Union, NJ.