His journey began on January 3, 1931 in Penbrook, PA. Born at home, he was the youngest of 7 children to parents, Claude H. Weiss Sr. and Amelia Weiss (née Schock). He graduated from Halifax High School in 1948, where he played catcher on the baseball team. During the Korean Conflict he served in the Pennsylvania National Guard as a MP (Military Police), earning the rank of Corporal. Upon his release from duty, he began his work at Speece’s Dairy in Dauphin. This ultimately inspired him to start his own ice cream business, 3B Ice Cream.
It was in 1969 that he opened the first 3B Ice Cream in a small barn like building at the base of Peter’s MTN in Dauphin. Then in 1972 he opened the 2nd location in Colonial Park. Two other locations, Duncannon and the Derry Street stores soon followed. Claude, or “Bugs” as he was affectionately known, loved his business and the joy it brought to so many others. He employed many young people, who returned annually to work there during their summer breaks from high school and college. A couple of those employees, Josh and Kelly Rissinger, eventually purchased the business in 2013.
During the winter when 3B’s was closed for the season, Bugs indulged in his other hobbies. He was a member of the Pegasus Travel Club. Through the club he visited numerous countries all over the world working as a flight attendant alongside his wife, Dolores. In his free time, he enjoyed planning the perfect trips to take with his family and friends. For many years he attended Phillies spring training in Clearwater, FL. He went to many Super Bowls, Penn State Bowl Games, and was a season ticket holder with the Hershey Bears for 40 years.
Most of all, Bugs loved sharing his experiences with his family and friends. He was dependable and kind, always willing to help a friend in need. Though a quiet man, he would have a joke or quip up his sleeve for any conversation. He had a knack of turning strangers into friends quickly.
He is preceded by brother Ted and sisters Blanche Hollander, Vera Deaven, Helen Schroll, Marian Rhen, and Arlene Kuhnert.
He leaves behind his devoted wife of 42 years, Dolores and will be greatly missed by his son Robert and his wife, Diane, as well as Dolores’s three sons whom he treated as his own, James Fearn Jr., Scot Fearn, and Kenneth Fearn. He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren: Jessica Weiss, Emily Weiss, Brandell Fearn, Nikki Yeager, Zachary Fearn, Olivia Fearn, Tracy Plum and one great-granddaughter, Ellianna Fearn.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 30, 2019 from 6:00-8:00pm at Messiah Lifeway Chapel; 100 Mt. Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 - Door 54. Interment will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convivence of the family.
In remembrance of Bugs, we ask that you to go out for some ice cream and plan a fabulous trip for you and your loved ones.
