Francis G. Lagana

Francis G. Lagana, 59, of Carbondale, died Saturday night at home after an illness. He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Drozdick.

Born Dec. 9, 1957, in Carbondale, he was the only child of the late Gaetano "Guy" and Rachel Gigliotti Lagana. Francis was a 1976 graduate of Carbondale Area High School and had been the owner and operator of Lagana's Auto and Service Station in Carbondale for 33 years. He was a Carbondale city councilman, having served for 22 years, and most recently won another four-year term that would have started in January. What made Francis a successful businessman and politician was that he was a people person who always listened and genuinely cared for the needs of both his customers and his constituents.

He enjoyed going to car shows and was one of the original members of the Coal Cracker Cruisers car club that was started 19 years ago. Francis loved hot rods and Willys antique cars. He was fond of animals and took great pleasure in caring for his Brandywine, Cuddles and Princess. Francis was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, making sopressata every fall, which he always shared with everyone, and spending time with his friends and family, especially his nieces and nephews. They always knew "Uncle Fran" was always a phone call away and always had "a guy to fix any problem." His two favorite sayings were, "I'm broke," and "you guys are living the American dream."

Mary would like to thank the following for their kind and compassionate care to Francis during his illness: Dr. T. Bekele and staff, Dr. A. Qureshi, Dr. F. Manahan, Dr. D. Lohin and Kim from the heart failure team of Wyoming Valley.

She is especially grateful to Francis' brothers: Sar Tolerico, Erm Santanna and Joe Graziano; his business partners, Danny Barney and Walter Martzen; and to Lisa Molinaro of Hospice of the Sacred Heart for all of their constant care and support during this most difficult time.

He is survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Barbara Drozdick, of Scranton; sister-in-law, Donna Drozdick, of Albuquerque, N.M.; nephews and nieces, John and Lori Drozdick, of Dunmore; Brian and Noelle Drozdick, of Eynon; Gina and Dave Phaneuf, of Carbondale; Billy and Yvonne Drozdick, of Germany; and Greg Drozdick, of Albuquerque, N.M.; great-nieces and great-nephew, Abby and Tyler Drozdick, of Eynon; and Madelyn Drozdick, of Germany; cousins, John Gerek, of Ohio; and Maryann Theisen, of Michigan.

He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, William Drozdick.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 9 a.m. from Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 89 Farview St., Carbondale, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook St., Carbondale. Entombment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

Friends may call Tuesday from 2-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Francis' name to Dessin Animal Shelter, 138 Miller Drive, Honesdale, PA 18431.

To share condolences and photos with Francis' family, visit his book of everlasting memories at www.parisefuneralhome.com.