He attended Carbondale and Fell Townships High Schools graduating from Fell Township in 1935. He then pursued his undergraduate studies at Saint Bonaventure University, Olean, New York, where he was awarded his B.A. degree in 1940. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Saint Bonaventure Seminary, Olean, New York and was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1944, in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Scranton, by the Most Reverend William J. Hafey, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton. Following a summer assignment at Saint Annâ's Parish, Tobyhanna, Father Plevyak was appointed assistant pastor at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Plymouth on September 7, 1944. In 1956 he was named Vicar Adjutor at Saint Mary's, Blossburg, and in November of that year he received his first pastoral assignment at the Church of Saint Stanislaus, Old Forge. Ten years later he became pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Mayfield where he was so beloved by his parishioners he was memorialized in a stained-glass window depicting him administering the Sacrament of the Sick. He was then assigned to Holy Family Church in Sugar Notch where he remained as pastor for 14 years before his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus on June 22, 1992. A distinguished alumnus of Saint Bonaventure University, from which he received numerous honors, Father Plevyak served as vice president of the Alumni Association and as national president of the Christ the King Alumni Association. In recognition of his many services he was named Alumnus of the Year in 1973 by Saint Bonaventure University, and ten years later he was accorded a similar honor with the 1983 Outstanding Alumnus award from Christ the King Seminary. In 1987, diocesan classmates and fellow Alumni of Christ the King Seminary established a scholarship in Father Plevyak's name for students from the Scranton Diocese who are studying at the Franciscan-sponsored House of Studies at East Aurora, New York. In the Diocese of Scranton, his contributions to Polish religious and civic events in Northeastern, PA earned him the distinction of being named Man of the Year at the Friends of Poland dinner in May 1993. An outstanding athlete, Father Plevyak was named to the Hall of Fame by the Luzerne County Chapter, Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. He was an outstanding center fielder with high school and semi-pro teams and he was rated among the top prospects for a professional career by baseball insiders. While receiving numerous offers from Big League teams, he rejected them in favor of continuing his education at Saint Bonaventure University at Olean, NY and pursuing his studies for the priesthood. A natural athlete he was also an outstanding bowler and lists a 299 ABC-sanctioned game as one of his proudest moments. He was also an outstanding golfer with several trophies. During his years in the priesthood Father Plevyak also served on the Marian Commission and the Diocesan Senate of Priests. He served on the Board of Directors of Mercy Health Care Center in Nanticoke and as chaplain of the Boy Scouts and the Junior Catholic Daughters. He was very active in the Lions Club and offered benediction at a Lions International Convention in New Orleans. He also dedicated the Whites Crossing to Jermyn section of the Casey Highway.