Call Toady To Place Your Ad In Our Spring Car Care Running April 4th

Please visit our kind sponsors

Obituaries

A Tribute To “Lou” Parrillo

By Chuck Ficarro

With pen in hand, I will attempt to relate how important Louis “Lou” Parrillo was to me, and the whole of Susquehanna County.

I met Lou during a point in my life wherein I had no direction, nor desire other than to buy a business and work for myself.

Lou, at that point meant no more than a stumbling block to jump over. He seemed rough, hard to get along with and down right mad at the world, especially in the work place.

In a very short time, I began to understand what it was the man had accomplished in “saving” the Transcript. Lou purchased the paper in 1965, when it was about to go out of business completely. With a very limited formal education, he revived a “voice” that has been listened to from here to Hawaii.

Lou took stands for the underdogs, you and I. For those often forgot, we taxpayers. For those often ignored, the elderly. And, what is often expensive to owners of small business, that which was right to do.

Lou taught me how important it is to allow the general public a community forum to voice their opinion; “always leave room for Letters To The Editor.”

The real lesson preached, time after time, was how important the Transcript was to Susquehanna County.

For a number of years, I passed this lesson off to acknowledging Lou had revived a struggling business and was quite proud of that fact.

Gradually, I understood how important it actually was to the residents of Susquehanna County to have such a forum in local, state and federal affairs.

I was both surprised and impressed by responses to articles in the Transcript from elected officials in all levels of our government and it finally sank in.

This cantankerous old fart had a point! What Lou Parrillo accomplished, considering what he had to work with was astounding!

My skills are nowhere near proficient enough to describe  the impact Lou had on my bearing in life. In effect, his “saving” of the Transcript was my salvation.

All in these environs owe this man, at the least a debt of gratitude for his vision.

As far as my personal debt to the man, that will, hopefully be settled on a much different playing field.

LOUIS C. PARRILLO

Louis C. Parrillo, 92, Susquehanna, PA died peacefully after a long illness on March 9, 2007 at Barnes-Kasson Hospital.

He was predeceased by his wife, Clara Malantino, of 53 years; brothers, John Alphonse (Puff) and Nicholas Parrillo; sisters, Mary, Elizabeth, and Lucy.

Lou is survived by two daughters, Diane (Armetta) and Jim Walsh, Susquehanna, and Polly and John Spry, Endicott, NY; two granddaughters, Tara and Bryan Ayres, Greene, NY, and Courtney Cotter, Endicott, NY; one great-granddaughter, Julianna Ayres, Greene, NY; two brothers, Pasqual (Pat) and Mary Parrillo, Susquehanna, Danny and Dorothy Parrillo, Corning, NY; one sister, Emma Fabian, Plantation, FL; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as a very special friend, Mary Ficarro, Susquehanna.

Lou was the son of the late Joseph and Angelamarie (Cillo) Parrillo. He was born in Mendham, NJ, and was raised in Susquehanna, where he attended the Laurel Hill Academy. He was drafted into the US Army in 1942 and received several Army Combat Medals. Lou served with the Infantry-Army Printing Plant in the U.S. and England. Upon discharge in 1945, he returned to work at the Susquehanna Transcript and later became the sole owner until 1980. Lou’s accomplishments included V.P. of the Board of Directors of Barnes-Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna, Legion Post #86 lifetime member, Little League Team winning champion with Loyal Order of the Moose and was also instrumental in getting the Susquehanna Memorial Bridge built. He was a former borough councilman, past governor of Moose Lodge 794 and first president of the Italian-American Club. Lou had many hobbies that included bowling, dancing, old timers softball, baseball, enjoying the NY Yankees, and writing. He will be remembered in recent years for his “Newsbeat” column in the Transcript. He was the recipient of the Moose Lodge Outstanding Citizen award in 1974 and the Generals “Medals of Excellence” presented by the American Legion in 2003.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 13 at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, and at St. John’s Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial was offered by Rev. Robert Simon. Burial, St. John’s Cemetery, Susquehanna.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #86.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. P. Patel and the entire staff of Barnes-Kasson Hospital for their wonderful, compassionate care during this difficult time.

“30”

CHARLES EDWARD BROWN

KAZMIER EDWARD CIONZYNSKI

Charles Edward Brown, 93, Susquehanna, PA, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at the Barnes-Kasson Hospital SNF, Susquehanna.

He was born in Nanticoke, PA, the son of the late Joseph and Victoria Cionzynski.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Nellie M. Chyczewski Brown, who he was married to for 56 years, and a son, John (Jackie) Brown. Also preceded in death by his brother, Henry (Hank) and sister, Helen.

He is survived by a son, Charles J. Brown, Mullica Hill, NJ and his wife, Kathleen; a daughter, Mary Beth Brown Ahearn, Susquehanna, PA and her husband, Patrick J. Ahearn. He has three granddaughters, Heather L. Noto, Denver, CO, Abby M. Ahearn, Scranton, PA, Amy E. Ahearn, Scranton, PA. He has one great-granddaughter, Ashely M. Noto. Brothers, Louis Cionzynski, Joseph Cionzynski, Jr., John Brown, and sister, Theresa (Jerry) Lastowski, all of Nanticoke. Two sisters-in-law, Helen Hazinski, Georgia, and Marge Cionzynski, Nanticoke. He also has several nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Danville Elks, Knights of Columbus, Nanticoke American Legion Post 0350, several Danville Fire Companies, and St. John’s Church and its Men’s Club of Susquehanna, and a veteran of the US Marine Corps.

Before his retirement, he was also employed by Percy Brown’s, Wilkes-Barre and A & P Food Chain.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 14, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Robert Simon and Rev. John Albosta.

Burial will be in the Holy Trinity Cemetery, Nanticoke.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Men’s Club, 101 Jackson Avenue, Susquehanna, PA 18847.

JOSEPHINE E. HOLLERAN

Josephine E. Holleran, 88, Susquehanna, PA went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 10, 2007, surrounded by her family.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Edward Holleran, on October 26, 1956, and her nine brothers and sisters.

Josephine was born in Great Bend, PA, the daughter of the late Vincent and Marie Vallelong.

She is survived by her loving children, Roger and Julie Holleran, Oakland, PA, Pamela and Richard Hennessey, Susquehanna; grandchildren, Jill Holleran and Chris Rockwell, Ryan Holleran, Theresa and Mitchell Scott, Sean Hennessey; great-grandsons, Tyler Rockwell and Owen Scott; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Tompkins; loving nieces and nephews; special friends that she resided with, Lynnie French and Fran and Ray Rudolph.

Josie owned and operated her own Beauty Shop for many years before she worked at Matis Lingerie of Susquehanna, and later on as an Aide at the Susquehanna Community Elementary School.

She was a member of St. John’s Church and its Altar and Rosary society, and the Susquehanna Fire Department Auxiliary.

She was a loving and generous mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed. Josie had a heart of gold and touched many people’s lives in so many different ways.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 15, at 9:30 a.m. at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 208 Jackson Avenue, Susquehanna, and 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by the Rev. Robert Simon.

Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Susquehanna.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the Susquehanna Fire Department Auxiliary, c/o P. Mayhew, 518 4th Ave., Susquehanna, PA; or to St. John’s Church, Susquehanna, PA 18847.

MARION E. BAKA

Marion E. Baka, 76, Lanesboro, PA, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY, after an illness.

She was born in Lanesboro, PA, the daughter of the late Dayton and Rose (Quick) Bennett. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Baka on June 21, 2002.

Marion is survived by two daughters, Andrea Lea, Conklin, NY, Carol Baka, Starrucca, PA; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Yvonne and Clyde Schulte, Santa Ana, CA, Shirley and Floyd Fisk, Lanesboro, PA; two grandchildren, Michele and Richard Smith, Kirkwood, NY, Victor and Tracy Lea, Washington, NJ; two great-grandchildren, Anthony Lea, Elizabeth Lea; several nieces and nephews.

She was a member of St. John’s Church and American Legion Post 86 Auxiliary of Susquehanna. She retired from the Rotorcast Mfg. Company in Lanesboro after 38 years of service. Marion enjoyed traveling and was an avid NASCAR fan. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, March 10 at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, Susquehanna, and at St. John’s Church, Susquehanna, where a Mass of Christian Burial was offered by Rev. Robert Simon.

Burial, St. John’s Cemetery, Susquehanna.

ROBERT J. SEELEY

Robert J. Seeley, 83, Danville, PA, died Sunday, March 4, 2007, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. He was born February 20, 1924 in Peckville, PA, the son of the late Reuben and Winifred Shager Seeley.

He was a graduate from Thompson Vocational High School and Lackawanna Junior College, earning an Associate Degree in Business and was an Army veteran, serving his country for 20 years. He retired from the service in 1962, obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant. During his military career, he served in various Army installations in the United States, Europe, Korea and Iceland. Throughout his military career, in war and peace, he demonstrated loyalty to his country. Master Sergeant Seeley was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, and numerous other medals. Following his military career he and his partners were responsible for building the bowling alley in Susquehanna, PA. Robert was also employed at the County National Bank in Montrose for a number of years, after which time he enjoyed his retirement. He was a member of the Thompson Methodist Church, a Mason for 50 years, and was a member of the Thompson Fire Co.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Helen Barnes; daughters, Lurene Farley and her companion, Andrew Burkinshaw, Johnson City, NY, Mary Lyn Cadman, Bloomsburg; three grandchildren, Michael and Dana Farley, and Alyssa Cadman. Robert’s family would also like to acknowledge friends and family in the Thompson and surrounding area.

Preceding him in death were a son, Donald Seeley; son-in-law, Don Farley; brother, Harold Seeley; and sister, Marian Majka.

Private family services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. There will be no viewing.

The family has asked that those wishing to remember Robert make a contribution to the Masons in care of Freedom Hall Association, P.O. Box 4, Thompson, PA 18465; or your local chapter of the American Heart Association in his memory.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Brady Funeral Home, Danville, PA, www.bradyfuneralhome.com.

JEANETTE S. GLASGOW

Jeanette S. Glasgow, 93, Susquehanna, PA, formerly of Great Bend, PA, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 6, 2007.

Jeanette was predeceased by her husband, Charles and son, Robert Seymour.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Jennifer Seymour and grandson, Matthew Seymour, both of New Jersey. Jeanette is also survived by several nieces and nephews, Nancy (Glasgow) and Heiti Narma, Susquehanna, PA, Janet Nestico, Wayne, NJ, Merrilee, Rick and Scott, Florida, Harry Glasgow, Jr., Endicott, NY, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Glasgow, Stockton, NJ, Peggy and Tony Vara, Pequannock, NJ, Leslie J. Tegtmeyer, North Caldwell, NJ, Janet (Glasgow) Flanaghan, FL, John Glasgow, FL; special friend, Betty Cavanaugh and her “SNF Family.”

Jeanette attended Fairmount Hospital School of Nursing, Jersey City, NJ, and was an employee of the New York Telephone Company. Jeanette was a devoted member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church on Randolph St., Great Bend. Prior to her illness she enjoyed gardening, sketching and church activities with her church family.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, March 10, at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, Susquehanna, with Rev. Jude Park officiating. Burial, Lakeview Cemetery, Lakeside, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Great Bend-Hallstead Ambulance; Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, NY, NY 10001; or the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Great Bend, PA.

Back to Top

©