Samuel Counterman

Samuel Parsons Counterman, 88, of Bartonsville, PA, passed away on Sunday April 3, 2022 at his home. He was the husband of Carol Lynn (Van Why) Counterman, with whom he shared almost 59 years of marriage. Born in East Stroudsburg, PA on October 12, 1933, he was the son of the late Charles Walter (1885 – 1966) and Elsie Smith (1905 – 1962).

Sam was a life-long resident of Monroe County. He started working as a child, doing odd-jobs such as taking his wagon to the local A&P in East Stroudsburg on Sundays where he offered to help people take their groceries home (“for a few pennies, of course”), and running multiple newspaper routes. He served as a “metal worker” in the Marine Corps from 1954 - 1957. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, where he was attached to the Navy Seabees for a time in Viegues, Puerto Rico. He told stories of when his work included construction of the Dingman’s Bridge (“where it was better to work on the Jersey side because they paid a differential”), delivery and installation of phone poles around the greater region, and even doing survey work when I-80 was being built. Sam was a building engineer at Shawnee on Delaware for 25 years and did delivery/installs/repairs at AmeriGas for another 10 years. His retirement job was with Fisher’s Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC doing HVAC repair and installs. He also moonlighted around the area as “Sam the Gas Man” helping residents with their gas heating/stove needs.

Sam could do/make/fix nearly anything. He enjoyed his daily big breakfast, and if you ever wondered how “good scrapple” was made, he was the man to ask.

He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Sam was preceded in death by many brothers and sisters: half siblings Hilda (1908 – 1925), James (1910 – 1987) and Woodrow (1913 – 1975); full siblings: Harold (1923 – 1983), Calvin (1925 – 2005), Richard (Dick) 1927 – 1990) Kathryn (Kitty) (1929 – 2018), Jack (1931 – 2008), Robert (Bob) (1936 – 1999), Lois (1938 – 2012), Arthur (Art) (1942 – 2010), Mary (1943 – 2010), Lester (Les) (1945 – 2000).

In addition to his wife Carol, Sam is survived by his four children: Penelope (Penny) (David Emanuel) Henryville, PA, Samuel P. Jr. (Sam) (Jennifer Sworen) Chocowinity, NC, Terri (John) Michael) Annandale, VA, and Scott, Bartonsville, PA; 5 grandchildren: Joe, Matt, Nate, Dylan & John Michael, 3 great grandchildren: Jensen, Avery & Emile; a sister, Carolyn Smith of Dearborn Heights, MI, and MANY nieces and nephews.

Family will plan a remembrance ceremony, date TBD, when everyone can gather outdoors to celebrate Sam’s life. Details will be published.

The family would like to acknowledge COMPASSUS Hospice of Allentown for the loving care they provided to Sam over the past 8 months.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lantermanallenfh.com for the Counterman family.