Benedict Jerome Drogalis

WEST WYOMING — Benedict Jerome Drogalis 86, of West Wyoming, passed away Monday, May 19, 2014, at Kingston Health Care Center, Kingston, surrounded by his loving family.

Benedict was born in Wilkes-Barre on Feb. 9, 1928, and was a son of the late Benedict and Mary Dubinski Drogalis.

Benedict was a graduate of Wilkes-Barre Township High School, class of 1945, and continued into service of his country in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Holy Family Parish, Luzerne.

Benedict worked at the Huber Breaker in Ashley for more than 25 years and retired from Owens Illinois Co. in Pittston, in 1993, after 25 years of service.

He was one of the founding volunteers of the West Wyoming Little League Association and served as president and team coach for many years.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Assumpta Council 302, Luzerne.

Ben enjoyed a life-long love of bowling, noted by numerous perfect 300 games, and his induction to the Wyoming Valley Bowlers Association Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed golfing with family and friends, woodworking projects and landscaping.

His most joyful times and proudest moments were spent with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Monica Wildes and Gertrude Glennon.

Benedict was married to the love of his life, Irene Josephine Makowski, on Nov.21, 1953, and had 60 years of marriage together. In addition, he is survived by sons, Jerome and his wife, Teresa, Old Forge; Thomas and his wife, Lori, Orwigsburg; Michael and his life partner, Robert Maciolek, Flemington, New Jersey, and Mark and his wife, Susan, Blythwood, South Carolina; and a daughter, Janine Williams, and her husband, Donald, Harleysville; grandchildren, Diana, Christina, James, Michael, Lauren, Lisa, Bryan, Ashley, Benedict, Peter and Leah; a sister, Barbara Masonis, Hertford, North Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral for Benedict will be at 11 a.m. Friday from the Lehman-Gregory Funeral Home Inc., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Family Parish, Bennett Street, Luzerne. Entombment in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Family and friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to service Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

The family of Benedict would also like to thank the doctors and staff at the Wyoming Valley Veterans Administration Hospital, Kingston Health Care and the care providers from Bayada Nursing.