WILMINGTON — Retired U.S. Navy Aviation Electronics Senior Chief Charles Stanley “Ski” Lapsansky Jr., 83, our loving father, our provider, our dad, passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Wilmington. He was born July 22, 1936, to Charles S. Lapsansky Sr., and his wife, Stella, of Dunmore-Scranton, Pennsylvania.
He retired from Cape Fear Community College, where he taught electronics, molding and shaping many to successful careers. He also retired as an engineer from GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, where he was very dedicated. Charles proudly served as master sergeant in the America Legion Post 10 Honor Guard, where he conducted over 200 military funeral honors for all armed forces. He loved presenting the burial flag, representing the freedom, dignity, and true meaning of being an American to the families of our veterans, playing the emotional moving and patriotic “Taps,” and providing keepsakes he personally made for the families. He loved serving his country, military families and his fellowmen.
He was the “bingo caller” every Tuesday night at the Post and enjoyed spending time with all his friends. His deeply caring attitude always displayed his bright smile. “Our dad, my dad, Daddy worked his entire life,” now, like an eagle a symbol of hope, and strength representing salvation, soaring home above on the side of God, his Father in heaven.
Charles was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart, first wife, Marie DeMarco Lapsansky; mother, Stella Szalkiewicz Lapsansky; father, Charles Stanley Lapsansky Sr.; nephew, Charles Sabetelle Lapsansky; loving mother-in-law, Eunice Willoughby Harrelson; granddaughter, Kaycee Marie Chapman; sons-in-law, Allard Whyman Bryant Jr. and Stephen D. Salas; sister, Mary Alice Sconce; and other family members who have passed.
Surviving are the loving daughters of Charles and Marie, Genevieve M. Cooper, and her husband, Brian D. Cooper, of Bartlett, Tennessee, Cynthia A. Salas of Wilmington, Desiree’ L. Bryant of Rocky Point and Cierra Blake Lapsansky of Palm Bay, Florida; and five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; beloved wife of 43 years, Bonnie Harrelson Lapsansky of Wilmington; loving daughters, Debra Stutts of Bolton, Dianne G. Creech, and her husband, Terry L. Creech, of Bolton and Janie G. Williams of Shallotte; 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, lovingly raising Shay Lynn Underwood Piver like a daughter. Loving sisters include Lorraine L. Lapsansky, of Bolton, Frances B. Lainey, and her husband, John, of Plainville, Connecticut, and Delores L. Bianco of Scranton, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Betty Harrelson Gay of Wilmington; brother-in-law, Wiley G. Harrelson, and his wife, Shirley Wigner Harrelson of Angier; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charles attended almost every 1954 Class Reunion back home, his roots in Dunmore-Scranton, Pennsylvania, and had many friends he loved and kept in touch with throughout his life.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home, Oleander Drive, Wilmington. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Calvary Baptist Church, 423 N. 23rd St., Wilmington, with Dr. Donnie Lovette officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to American Legion Post 10, Honor Guard, 449 Shipyard Blvd., Wilmington, NC 28412.
Share online condolences with the family at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral & Cremation Service.
