Columbia's number one Yankee fans passes

Columbia lost its number one fan of the New York Yankees and one of the top fans of its athletic programs recently with the passing of "Cork" Carnahan.

He loved the New York Yankees and when I'd see him, we had some fun debates about my love for the Phillies and his love for the Yankees and I use to agitate him about Harry Kalas. He was a big supporter of the football and basketball programs at Columbia, going to the games late in his life with his buddies George and Teedy.

Since he started having healthg problems a couple of years ago, he was missed at the basketball games where he sat up in the corner and at the home games for football sitting up on the top of the hill by the gate.

Here is his obituary that appeared in the Lancaster Newspapers yesterday.
William H. "Cork" Carnahan, age 81, of Columbia, died peacefully, Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at the Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Columbia, he was the son of the late William H. and Agnes Wickenheiser Carnahan. He was married to Barbara Brunner Carnahan for 45 years until her death in June 1995.


Cork graduated from Columbia High School in 1946, where he was a three sport star from 1942-1946. He played football all four years, and was co-captain of the 1945 team. He also played basketball all four years, played baseball, and was captain of the 1946 baseball team. Cork also participated in track on an intramural level.

After graduation in 1948, Cork organized, promoted, coached, and quarterbacked the Tow Hill Athletic Club football team. Cork stood out in basketball, both in the service and around the area. From 1946-1948, he served in the US Navy. He played with the Norfolk N.A.S. Yellow Jackets that won the 5th Naval League and the Virginia State Championship. Cork was named 1st Team all league, all state, and all Navy for two years. Locally, he played with Tow Hill, Marietta Merchants, Holy Trinity Athletic Club, Columbia American Legion, and the East Prospect Merchants. Between 1952-1955, Cork played with all 5 teams, playing every game. In one season, he played 142 games. The Marietta Merchants won six City-County titles and one State VFW title. He led Marietta in scoring for five seasons.

Cork was also involved in fast pitch softball from 1948-1973. He organized, coached, managed, and played with Tow Hill, Hartman's Cafe, Strasburg Bank, Lancaster Lancers, and Old Colony Inn. Those teams all won various league, district, state, and regional tournaments. He also played in several invitational tournaments on the East Coast. Cork was a member of the Board of Directors of the Lancaster Rec. League, PA Major League, and the Atlantic Seaboard League. He also served as Lancaster City-County Softball Commissioner, promoting tournaments in Columbia and Lancaster.

He was a charter member of the Columbia Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and on May 4, 1985 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for football and softball fast pitch. Cork was a "Big Fan" of all Columbia High sports, and the NY Yankees!!! His other interests included doing word and crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, listening to Frank Sinatra and big band music, watching and cheering for his grandchildren in their respective sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Cork was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was employed as Circulation Manager for the Columbia News for 28 years. In 1977, Cork moved to California and became the Circulation Manager for the Alameda Time Star. After retiring from the newspaper, he accepted a position in the Security Department at the World Headquarters of the Chevron Oil Company. He returned to his beloved Columbia in 1995.

Surviving are three children: Deborah wife of Thomas Feltenberger of Columbia; Kevin Carnahan companion of Jackie Olmstead of Hayward, CA; Bill husband of Michelle Carnahan of Alameda, CA; four grandchildren: Matthew husband of Dawn Feltenberger of York; Susan companion of Cassius Hibbert of Wrightsville; Lindsay and Kaylee Carnahan of Alameda, CA; and five great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Adam, and Carter Feltenberger; Alexis Feltenberger; and Cassius Hibbert, Jr. He was preceded in death by a son: Michael O. Carnahan; and a sister: Dorothy J. Newcomer.

Memorial services for Cork will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010 from the Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home, Inc., 519 Walnut Street, Columbia, at 11 AM (family will receive friends from 10-11 AM) with the Reverend Kenneth F. Lawrence officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions in Cork's memory may be made to: Our Lady of the Angels School, 215 Union Street, Columbia, PA 17512 or Tide Booster Club, PO Box 679, Columbia, PA 17512.