Local Author David Komarnicki
David Komarnicki of Chester, PA, died on January 4, 2021, after reaching a milestone 90th birthday in September and celebrating 44 blessed years of marriage with his wife, Leslie, the week before Christmas.
David is survived by four children: Joseph (Linda) of Huntington Beach CA; David of Vancouver WA; Elizabeth of St. Paul MN; and Amy (Blake Darlin) of Media PA. He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Jennifer, and a stepdaughter, Vanessa Fisher-Phillips. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren: Jenna, Mia, Madison, John, Eli, David, Faith, Cohen, Bernie, and Evie.
David was the eighth of ten children born to Ukrainian immigrants, Joseph and Anna. Six of his seven brothers preceded him in death: Michael, John, James, George, Joseph, and Paul. A seventh, Daniel, is living in Florida. Two sisters, Mary and Victoria, were also waiting for David when he arrived in heaven, and those acquainted with the close-knit Komarnicki family will know that there was quite a celebration to welcome him home.
After graduating from Philadelphia Bible College, The King’s College, and Reformed Episcopal Seminary, David enjoyed careers as a public schoolteacher in Southern California, a regional trainer with a large insurance and equities firm in Century City, CA, and owner of a securities and insurance training business in Los Angeles.
David, Leslie, and their two daughters moved from California back to David’s roots in Pennsylvania in 1986. Four years ago, in his eighth decade, David published a book called Five Stars in the Window: Growing Up during World War II, and immediately went on a local lecture circuit, delighting audiences at Delco libraries and veterans’ organizations with stories from his childhood in the “patchwork quilt” of Chester’s ethnic neighborhoods. He also taught a course in memoir writing at Neumann College, encouraging others to write their own stories. David was a people person who made everyone feel better for having met him.
Another special enthusiasm of David’s was the ministry he and Leslie established 30 years ago, whereby they produced laminated cards with the Apostles Creed on the front and John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10 on the back. These cards were available in 95 languages and were distributed around the world as a simple way of speaking hope and faith to nonbelievers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Save a Life International, 1230 Glenburnie Lane, Dresher PA 19025. The mission statement of this organization can be found at www. savealifeintl.org.
A memorial service will be held when it is safe for people to gather again. Family and friends will be informed of the place and date.