Col. Frederick Donald Panza, Ret., husband of Ernestine J. (Kozlowski) Panza, died peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 2, 2023. He was born July 4, 1930 in Bowmansdale, PA to Peter Sr. and Rachel (Costanza) Panza. Fred was the last surviving of their ten children.
He graduated from John Harris High School in 1948 and enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a recruit, serving during the Korean and Vietnam eras. He attended various military schools and completed military extension courses culminating in his graduating from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth Kansas, retiring as a Colonel in 1990 from the Guards and Reserve.
He married Ernestine Josephine Kozlowski on October 4, 1958 at St. Stanislaus Church in Shamokin, PA. They moved to Harrisburg where they raised their five children in a home full of laughter and love. He was employed at Olmsted Air Force Base, Middletown from 1952 to 1962 until its closure. He transferred to Ships Parts Control Center, Mechanicsburg, and retired as Supply System Analyst after 35 years of service. During this time, he also served as the Storage and Distribution Supervisor at Ft. Indiantown Gap for the USP & FO for the PA Army National Guard. He was a founding member of St. Catherine Laboure Church in Swatara Township, where he volunteered in a variety of areas over his lifetime. He served as one of the first extraordinary ministers of holy communion, a lector, and was an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary, praying his rosary every day.
In addition to his parents, Fred is predeceased by seven brothers Frank (Dolly), Foster (Rhoda), Michael (Charlotte), Gerald (Enes), Joseph (June), Samuel (Katherine) and Peter, Jr. (Elvira), and sisters Jane Matricardi (Frank), Mildred Tucci (Michael), and infant sister Evelyn Rosa.
He is survived by his wife Ernestine “Ernie” Panza, children Amy Nagle (George), Donald Panza, Kathleen Panza, Constance Berger (David), Jeffrey Panza (Diane), grandchildren Sarah Davidson (Brent), Jonathan Nagle (Emily), Matthew Berger (Amy), Nicole Grinsell (Jonathan), Johnna Sheaffer (Robert) and Jarah Riley (James), and great-grandchildren Noah and Alex Davidson, Addison, Emma and Isabella Berger, Mary Gwen Grinsell, Leighton and Reid Sheaffer, and Julian and Jayce Riley, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Above all, Fred cared about his family, and if you were in his home, you were family. He was always there to help, no questions asked.
A viewing will be held on Friday, March 10 from 6 pm – 8 pm at Neill Funeral Home, 3501 Derry Street, Harrisburg, with recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 11 at St. Catherine Laboure Church, 4000 Derry Street, Harrisburg. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Catherine Laboure Church, Harrisburg or Homeland Hospice, Harrisburg.
Frederick D Panza, age 92, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neillharrisburg.com for the Panza family.
