Thaddeus J. Tarnowski

May 31, 2010

Thaddeus J. "Tad" Tarnowski, 93, of East Main Street, Glen Lyon, passed away at his home on May 31, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sheatown, Newport Township, on March 13, 1917, a son of the late Walter and Antonia (Polniaszek) Tarnowski. At the age of 16 years, he moved to Glen Lyon, where he resided until the remainder of his lifetime. He was a graduate of the Newport Township High School. He was a Veteran of World War II, serving as Private First Class in the U.S. Army from 1943 to '46 in Company C, 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st Division. During this time he served in the Rome-Arno, the Northern Apennines and the European African Middle Eastern campaigns. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. Tad, as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was one of 11 children. In total, all of the eight Tarnowski sons served in the U.S. Military, five of them in World War II. Their mother Antonia was known as a "Gold Star Mother" for their military efforts. Mr. Tarnowski owned and operated Economy Stores in Glen Lyon and Mountain Top for 28 years. He established the Tarnowski Kielbasa Enterprise, Glen Lyon, which is still operational to this day. In his later years, Tad worked for the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority and American Asphalt as a bookkeeper. He attained many accomplishments during his lifetime. He was a member of Corpus Christi Parish, Glen Lyon, and the Holy Name Society. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 539, Glen Lyon, and a Charter member of the VFW Post No. 8353, Glen Lyon. He was a former member of the original Newport Township Lions Club, a former member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. He was one of the founding members of the Newport Township Little League, a member of St. Alphonsus Retreat League and on the Board of Directors of the former Glen Lyon National Bank, Glen Lyon. Tad was active in the Republican Party, and at one time was a candidate for State Representative. He was on the Board of Directors and member of the Economy Stores Warehouse Association. He was on the founding board and a Past President of the Lily Lake Property and the Wormser Plot Associations, being affiliated with them for many years. Preceding him in death were brothers Raymond, John Edwin, Chester and Leon; sisters Valeria and Helen. Surviving is his wife, the former Sophie Klish, at home, with whom he recently celebrated 64 years of marriage on April 27, 2010; daughters, Mary Ann Murphy and her husband, Jim, of Bear Creek; Elaine Deluca and her husband, Bob, of Lily Lake; Kathleen Petitt and her husband, Art, of Whippany, N.J.; and Diane Vishnefski and her husband, Jack, of Wanamie; nine grandchildren, Erin Smith; Ellen Gallagher; Salvatore, Zachary and Otis Deluca; Bryan and Adam Pettit; John Thaddeus and Daniel Vishnefski; four great-grandchildren, Henry, Owen and Annie Smith; Olivia Deluca; brothers Thomas Tarnowski of Raritan, N.J., Kazimer Tarnowski of Ridgefield, Conn.; sister Dorothy Tarnowski, Glen Lyon; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews also survive. Special caregivers David Michilashvili and Leila Gvasalia survive as well. Military Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday from the George A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., Glen Lyon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. from Corpus Christi/St. Adalbert's Church, Market St., Glen Lyon. Interment will be in St. Adalbert's Cemetery, Glen Lyon. Friends may call from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory at the funeral home to the Newport Township Little League.