Albert “Sonny” E. Hazzard, Jr., 84, of Bellefonte, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Eagle Valley Personal Home Care in Milesburg. Born on April 22, 1939, in Philipsburg, he was the son of the late Albert Hazzard, Sr. and Mary (Schreffler) Hazzard. On August 29, 1955, he married his beloved wife, Joyce M. (Jones) Hazzard, who preceded him in death on August 25, 1991, after sharing 36 years of marriage together.
Sonny worked in the environmental services department for the Centre Community Hospital continuing through the transition of it becoming the present-day Mount Nittany Medical Center. Before his retirement, after 35 years of service at the hospital, he was recognized for his dedication and quality work in his department.
Sonny is survived by his nieces and nephews: Jennifer Cowe, Alexandria Thibeault, Ryan Cowe, all of Niagara Falls, NY, and Brenda Blue of Bellefonte, and great niece, Jennifer Emanuele of Grand Island, NY. Also surviving are some of his closest friends, Kerry A. Benninghoff, Paul Carothers, Carol Brobeck, Chuck and Brenda Fetters, Patti Lucas, and William “Billy” DeMartino.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his only son, Scott A. Hazzard in 1994.
Sonny was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bellefonte. Additionally, he was a member of the Bellefonte Senior Center and a 50+ Member of the Moose Lodge in Bellefonte, having served as a past president and was awarded the Moose of the Year for 2007-2008.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, at the Bellefonte Moose Lodge #206, 125 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. Burial services will follow, at 3:00 PM, at Union Cemetery in Bellefonte with the committal being officiated by Pastor Doug Conway. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends of Sonny’s ask that you consider becoming a member of the Bellefonte Moose Lodge #206, or your preferred civic organization, as that was always important to him, or by donating to the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, by mailing checks to 1800 E. Park Avenue, State College, PA 16803.
Sonny’s loved ones would like to take this opportunity to extend their heartfelt gratitude to several individuals and organizations that were important and helpful to him throughout his years – Vickey Confer at the Bellefonte Senior Center, Deana Kochik at the Moose Lodge in Bellefonte, FNB in Bellefonte, the Mount Nittany Health System, the staff at Eagle Valley Personal Home Care, JoAnn Knupp and Betty Fenity, BJ Weaver and Judy Kennedy at Interfaith Human Services, Dr. Christopher Jones, Dr. Hussein Aboul-Hosn, and John Luckovich at Plumbs Drug Store in Bellefonte.