Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home

James J. Healey Jr. December 28, 2020 James Sailor Healey Jr., 62, of South Scranton, died Dec. 28 at home.... Born in Scranton, James was the son of the late James Healey Sr. and Rose Healey Pinko. He attended Scranton schools. James enjoyed riding motorcycles and motocross. He also loved fishing, hunting, and playing on his PlayStation. He is survived by a sister, Kathryn Healey, Factoryville; an uncle, Joseph Carone and wife, Grace, Dunmore; and cousins. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, John Joseph Healey. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton.

Catherine (Kay) Rose McGowan January 3, 2021 Catherine (Kay) Rose McGowan, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 3, 2021, in upstate New York. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Thomas McGowan. Born in Carbondale to Max and Mary Komendat and raised in Scranton, Kay graduated from Scranton Technical High School and worked for Prudential Life Insurance and Sears. She loved spending time with her family, playing bingo and reading.... Kay is survived by her children, Kathleen Root, Geneseo, N.Y.; Kevin and wife, Jessica, Duson, La.; and Dennis and wife, Kim, Scranton; grandchildren, Marissa McGowan, Scranton; Denny McGowan and wife, Rebecca, Avoca; Kaitlin (Root) Mills, Geneseo, N.Y.; Kelly Root, Jacksonville, N.C.; Molly Root, Columbia, S.C.; James Root and wife, Haley, Nunda, N.Y.; and Mark McGowan, Asheville, N.C.; five great-grandchildren, Nora and Cara McGowan, of Avoca; Forrest and Palmer Mills of Geneseo, N.Y.; and Matthew Root, of Nunda, N.Y.; a brother, Joseph Komendat and wife, Mary, Warren, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews. Kay was also preceded in death by her son, Terry; and her sisters, Florence Komendat and Mary Cianfichi. Rector Hicks Funeral Home, Geneseo, N.Y., and Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, Scranton, are handling the arrangements for private services and interment in Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601; or Morgan Estates Activity Fund, 4588 Morgan View Drive, Geneseo, NY 14454. See more

George Pelick October 26, 2020 George Pelick, 90, of South Abington Twp., died Oct. 26 at Geisinger Community Medical Center. He was preceded in death in 2018 by his wife of 60 years, Jeanette C. Pelick.... Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late John and Helen Praska Pelick. George was a graduate of West Scranton High School and was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War. He owned and operated Pelick’s Tavern in the Bellevue Section of Scranton. George and his wife Jeanette were the owners and operators of the former Penguin Lounge in Scranton. He attended Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton. George enjoyed talking politics and was a dedicated Yankees and Penn State fan. He was a loving and devoted husband, brother and uncle. He will be sadly missed by those who knew him. He is survived by his sister, Marion Figula; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings, John Pelick, Olga Tomacick, Nicholas Pelick, Ann Smorey; and nephew, David Figula. Services were private at the convenience of the family with interment in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements by the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton.

Ann Battaglia November 2, 2020 Ann Battaglia, 91, a South Scranton resident, passed away Monday evening. She was the wife of the late George Battaglia, who passed away in 2019. Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Modesto and Hilda Barnaby. She was educated in Scranton schools. In addition to many year in the garment industry, she worked from home as a seamstress. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church until its closing. She was a member of St. Paul of... the Cross Parish, South Scranton. Ann was also a member of Saint-n-Aints Square Dance Club. She loved to do ceramics. She enjoyed traveling and going on cruises with her late husband, George. Ann was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her son, David Battaglia and wife, Diane; a daughter, Caroline Leibold, both of Scranton; grandchildren, Dawn and Paul Gronski III, David and Carrie Battaglia, Danielle Reedy, Diana and Gary Worosilla, Jacqueline and Robert Notari; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Louise Ferraro. She was preceded in death by her sister, Eileen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, St. Paul of the Cross Parish, 1217 Prospect Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Scott P. Sterowski, pastor. Interment will follow in the Italian-American Cemetery, Minooka. Friends may call Friday morning, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton. Social distancing and masks will be required. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. See more

Walter Skula dies at 101 October 27, 2020 Walter Skula, 101, of Taylor, died Tuesday morning at home. He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Dorothy Passeri, in 2011. Born in Taylor, Walter was the son of the late Ignatious and Katherine Kujbida Skula. He was a graduate of Johnson Technical School and was a United States Army World War II veteran. Walter was a machinist by trade and worked at Medico industries. He was later employed by Ferrario Insurance. He was a m...ember of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Walter was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved watching Major League baseball, from spring training through to the World Series. He enjoyed completing the New York Daily News crossword puzzle every day up until his passing. He will be sadly missed by his family. The family would like to give a special thanks to his primary caregivers, Emily, Sarah and Colleen, who often provided Walter with extra help beyond their normal care and kindness. He is survived by his son, William (Patricia) Skula, Old Forge; grandchildren, Larissa (Derek) Lavelle, Duryea; and Corey (Alison) Skula, Jenkins Twp.; great-grandchildren, Gabrielle and Rocco; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Judith Skula, in 2010; sisters, Anne, Mary, Olga and Irene; and a brother, Joseph. The funeral will be Friday with Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. in St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 430 N. Seventh Ave., Scranton, PA 18503, by the Rev. Myron Myronyuk, pastor. Entombment, Cathedral Cemetery, Oram Street, Scranton. Those attending the funeral are asked to go directly to church. Social distancing and masks will be required. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vladimir’s Roof Fund at the above address. Arrangements by the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton. See more

John A. Soloski September 7, 2020 John Jack A. Soloski, 93, of Doylestown, previously of Scranton, died Monday, September 7, 2020 at home. He is survived by his wife, the former Marion Kahnowski. The couple would have celebrated 67 years of marriage on September 12th.... Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late John F. Soloski and Lucille Muniewski Soloski Novak. He was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School. John was a veteran of US Navy and Air Force Reserve. Prior to his retirement he was proud to be employed as a USPS Mail Carrier. He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, South Scranton. John volunteered at Mercy Hospital, Scranton, Saint Mary’s Villa, Elmhurst; Doylestown Hospital and Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia. John is also survived by two sons, Michael Soloski (Leona) Ontario, Canada; and Andrew Soloski (Diane) Chalfont, PA; a daughter, Mary Ann Belli (John) Philadelphia, grandchildren, Andrew Belli(Alisa), Lauren Anderson (Tristan), Katherine Snover (Andrew), Rachel Duggan (Niall), Josef Soloski (Alexa); 7 great-grandchildren; a brother, Joseph Novak, Moscow, PA; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Gloria Noto. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, September 21, 2020 at 3:00 p.m at St. Jude Church and Shrine, 321 W. Butler Ave., Chalfont, PA. Visitation will be from 2 pm until time of mass. The mass will be live streamed on the church’s website, www.stjudechalfont.org, Click on Live Stream Mass tab once on site. A graveside service will be held on Friday September 25, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Davis St., Scranton In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Enhanced Living Benevolent Fund, 200 Veterans Lane, Doylestown, PA 18901, Attn; Business Office or to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Jude Parish, 321 West Butler Avenue., Chalfont, PA 18914. Local arrangements by the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton.

Peter Paul Hoblack Jr. August 9, 2020 Our beloved Peter Paul Hoblack Jr. husband, stepdad, poppy, brother, uncle passed into eternal life on Aug. 9 after a heroic battle with cancer. Pete was born on Sept. 8, 1951, and was a resident of South Abington Twp. Born in Scranton, son of the late Rose Kulick, Pete graduated from West Scranton High School in 1969 and earned his bachelor’s degree from Marywood University. Pete proudly served in the United States Navy and retired f...rom the United States Navy Reserves in 1995. He worked for over 20 years at Tobyhanna Army Depot, from which he retired in 2013. Pete devoted thirty years of his life to his partner-in-everything and adored wife, Gertha Mary Hoblack. Above all else, Pete was a loving family man. He leaves us with cherished memories holding his wife’s hand as they walked, instituting a family tradition of singing ‘happy birthday’ to our newborn babies, smiling as his grandchildren threw their arms around him whenever they got to be near him, calling his (grown) stepdaughters before an upcoming visit to inquire what tools he should bring (and they both loved him for it because they always needed the help). We will remember him sharing a good tripe dinner with his mother-in-law, co-conspiring with his nieces, nephews and close friends, whipping out smooth dance moves while chanting ‘oh, oh baby, oh,’ making the house smell lovely and sweet from his homemade crepes, and invoking our dogs’ howling happiness when they saw him. Pete enjoyed spending time with his sister, Carol and her family Ed, Amanda and Bill. He was an avid outdoorsman, never skipping an opportunity to fish, hunt and ride his quad with Harry (‘Cuz’), Christine, Gino, Bob, Larry, Phil and Zack. When he wasn’t under a canvas of leaves or on top of a body of water, he was hard at work on home improvement projects. His brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Marilyn Howell, were sources of strength and fun, before and during his sickness. Pete is survived by his loving wife, Gertha M. Hoblack; mother-in-law, Gertha Howell; stepdaughters, Jaclyn Damiano and husband, Ben; Kathleen Blasi and husband, Chris; grandchildren, Benjamin, Stella, Roxana and Mirabella; sister, Carol Jones and husband, Ed; niece and nephew, Bill Jones; and Amanda Sicher and husband, Dan. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Kulick; father-in-law, Phil Herring; and Pete’s beloved canine companion, Shadow. A private ceremony will be held at the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, South Scranton. The family is planning a celebration of Pete’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter and the American Cancer Society. See more

James J. McGraw July 28, 2020 James J. McGraw, 65, of South Scranton, died Tuesday morning at home. Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Eugene and Margaret Morrison McGraw. James was a graduate of South Catholic High School, and was previously employed at Maid-Rite Steak Co. and Supermarket Service Co. until retirement.... He was a former member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Scranton. James was an avid bowler and traveled across the country competing. He loved spending time with his friends at South Side Bowling Lanes. The family would like to thank Dr. Lisa Thomas; nurses, Shelly and Roseanne; and Anne and Jack Harrington. He is survived by his brother, Ken McGraw and wife, Linda, Clarks Green; a brother-in-law, William Roche, Dunmore; nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Eugenia Roche. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Deserae Gondella Malone, F.D., Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton.

Grace Kraynick July 21, 2020 Grace Kraynick, 95, of Scranton, died Tuesday evening at the Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center. Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Susan Guido Kraynick. ... Grace was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School. She was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, South Scranton, and former member of Holy Family Church until its closure. Grace is survived by her loving cousins. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Lillian Kraynick; and brothers, Joseph, Robert and Eugene Kraynick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, St. Paul of the Cross Parish, 1217 Prospect Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Scott P. Sterowski, pastor. Interment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery, Throop. Social distancing and masks will be required. Arrangements by the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton. See more