Oct. 23—WILKES-BARRE — Gary Bernstein, CEO at the Jewish Community Center, summed up the life of the late Max Bartikowsky.

"Max was a pillar in the community, a great supporter of the JCC and other worthy organizations," Bernstein said. "His legacy will live on for generations. He will be sorely missed."

Max Bartikowsky, 92, formerly of Forty Fort, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Highland Park Senior Living, Wilkes-Barre Township.

Bartikowsky became the president and CEO of his family business, Bartikowsky Jewelers on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, which celebrated 125 successful years in business before closing in 2013.

He was born in 1930 in Wilkes-Barre to the late Bernard and Camilla Tintner Bartikowsky.

Raised on Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, Max became something of a local celebrity as a kid — he was the inspiration for cartoonist Ham Fisher's "Little Max" in the Joe Palooka comic strip, which ran in up to 900 newspapers nationwide for more than 50 years.

Cathy Soprano held the position of controller at Bartikowsky's for more than 30 years and she said Max was "a wonderful man and a great person to work for." She said Max always considered the employees as part of his family.

"Even after the store closed, we all would get together for dinner and celebrate," Soprano said. "Max was one of the most caring and giving persons I have ever known. He contributed to colleges and universities — he was a very philanthropic person and very supportive of the community. Anybody who knocked on his door, he would help."

John Thalenfeld, JCC President and President/CEO of Trion Industries, described Bartikowsky as "a great man" who sincerely cared about the community and its people.

Like so many others, Thalenfeld said he shopped at Bartikowsky's and he purchased an engagement ring for his wife from Max.

"I knew Max from the store and through the JCC," Thalenfeld said. "Max supported all of Wyoming Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania. He sincerely cared about the people of the area and he did whatever he could to help."

But Max may have been best known as a devoted partner of many years to the love of his life, Anna Cervenak, who died in 2015. Anna's niece, Meg Brown, considered Max her uncle and she said the love Anna and Max shared for more than 50 years was inspirational.

"They did everything together," Brown said. "Max was always good to me and my children and my brothers. He attended all graduations and family events and he was deeply involved with the community."

Brown said Max was always fair and honest and he was a great role model for the kids.

"And he always worked every day, setting a great example," Brown said. "His staff loved him. Many of them spoke at the funeral service and they told wonderful stories. And I will always remember how he cared for my aunt and the love they shared."

According to his obituary, Max was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and Wilkes University. He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955.

Throughout his life, Max was actively involved in a number of community programs, supported countless charitable and civic organizations and was honored many times over.

Max was a past board member of the Jewish Community Center, Wilkes-Barre Lions Club and Temple Israel among others.

Donations he made contributed to refurbishing classrooms at Wyoming Seminary and building an updated JCC facility in Kingston.

He had been recognized by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind, Masonic Lodge 65 Caldwell Consistory — Irem Temple, the Anti-Defamation League, Wyoming Valley Family Service Association, American Heart Association and Junior Achievement Hall of Fame, among many others.

Max was a true businessman, but more importantly a genuine philanthropist. He loved his Sunday pool get-togethers, going to the racetrack (especially to watch his horses), basketball and tennis, his time spent in Florida and his cherished beagles, Sparkle, Coco and Chanel.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.