Obituaries

Brad M. Wlazelek

Feb. 12, 1982-June 20, 2011

He arrived late and left us much too early. Brad M. Wlazelek was 29 when he died at home in Upper Macungie Township.

Born in Allentown, the son of Bruce and Ann Wlazelek with whom he lived, Brad was an incredibly smart, handsome, sensitive and talented young man who struggled off and on for years with drug problems that ultimately took his life.

He graduated from Parkland High School’s class of 2000 and was a dean’s list student before earning a “professional writing” degree from Penn State’s Lehigh Valley campus in 2005.

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He held many jobs, including his first at Yocco’s at age 15, and his last at the Wingate Hotel in Lower Macungie Township, where he was a front desk clerk for more than a year.

Brad strived to live by the golden rule and treated friends, family, co-workers and guests with kindness. For most of his adult life he was a vegetarian, refusing to eat “anything that once had a face.”

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He loved to draw, skateboard when he was younger, and listen to and play alternative rock on his guitar.

He gave his “rents” and “Mom-Mom” lots of gray hair and joy through many starts and stops in life. Brad got his dark wavy hair and quick wit from his Pop, his soft blue eyes and smile from his Mom.

Surviving besides his parents and grandmother Virginia Marone of Allentown are aunts and uncles Jane and Gary Budman of Zionsville and Dr. Brian and Cindy Wlazelek of Blandon; and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Gerda and Robert Fenstermaker, Joseph Wlazelek and Andy Marone.

He will no longer struggle, but be dearly missed

A memorial service will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday at Stephens Funeral Home, 1335-37 Linden Street, Allentown.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Lehigh County Drug & Alcohol Intake Unit, c/o the funeral home, in hopes of helping other troubled souls.


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