July | 2023 | The Dunmorean

Robert J. Burke
July 12, 2023

Robert J. Burke, 92, of Dunmore, died at home Wednesday evening after a recent illness.

Born in Dunmore, son of the late Andrew A. and Helen Turock Burke, he was a graduate of Dunmore High School Class of 1948 and went on to earn his master’s degree from the University of Scranton. He was a retired Personnel Director at the University of Scranton for 35 years, retiring in 1997. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed on Johnston Island in the Pacific and was awarded the Korean Service Medal for his military duty.

Bob was an avid hunter, fisherman, and loved the outdoors, especially canoeing on the Susquehanna River. He was a charter member of the Audubon Society in Scranton. He made several trips to Alaska panning for gold, and many other trips canoeing in Canada. He even ran a half marathon at the age of 80. He is survived by a sister, Ruth Brown and husband Clair of Wilmington, NC; a brother Andrew M. Burke of Tunkhannock; his partner Joan Hrycow of West Scranton; seven nieces, one nephew, as well as several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Grace Amico Burke, who died in 2014; two sisters, Ann Burke of Dickson City and Elizabeth Burke Wanagaitis of Far Rockaway, NY.

A brief viewing will be held Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until noon at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with a blessing service at noon.

Burial will follow in the family plot of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made in Robert’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.To offer a condolence, visit www.DunmoreFuneralHome.com.

Mary Ann Pasqualichio Muracco
July 12, 2023

Mary Ann Pasqualichio Muracco, 87, of Dunmore, died Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at home. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph F. Muracco.

Born in Dunmore, she was the daughter of the late Canio and Angelina Cantarella Pasqualichio. A graduate of Dunmore High School and prior to retirement, she worked at Spotless Cleaners and the Green Ridge Club. She was loved by co-workers and all those she served.

Mary’s family was her life and cooking and cheering for her Yankees were her passions. For years, she was an avid bowler and whether a strike, a spare or a gutter ball, she and her teammates always had fun.

Mary’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. John Lundin, a caring and compassionate cardiologist who did all he could and always made Mary feel like she was his only patient. We are so grateful for all of her lifelong friends and family members and especially, her grade school friend, Carmel Panasuck and her longtime running buddy and sister-in-law, Dolly Meckwood and her Yankee fan buddy, Angela Kosydar and a man who she loved and was so happy to spend night after night during the last year…watching the Yankees and her game shows, her brother Lou Pasqualichio.

On her last day, she was blessed to spend time with her cousin, Larry Nicolais, whom she helped raise. Surviving are daughters, Frani Kumar and husband, Sanjay, South Carolina, Gigi Muracco and husband, Bill Hessmiller, Dunmore, and son Gary Muracco and wife, Linda, Dunmore; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brothers Lou and Cheech Pasqualichio, Dunmore; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Joey Muracco; her sisters, Ann, Moe, Angela and Jean, and brothers, Canio and Weeks.

The funeral will be conducted Monday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker Street, Dunmore, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 303 Smith Street, Dunmore. Burial will follow at the Dunmore Cemetery. All attending mass are kindly asked to proceed directly to church.

Friends and family may pay their respects Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.Please visit the funeral home website for information or to send an online condolence at www.DunmoreFuneralHome.com.