Donald Joseph Booth

Donald Joseph Booth, 89, Waverly Twp., died peacefully at home on Saturday, Dec. 23, surrounded by his family. His loving wife of 63 years is the former Mary Galligan.

Born April 9, 1934 in Scranton, Donald was the son of the late Richard and Verna (Rutherford) Booth. He was raised in the Green Ridge section of Scranton, where he lived most of his life.

Donald was a 1953 graduate of St. Paul's High School and he received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton in 1958. He worked on freighter ships on the Great Lakes in order to finance college. Donald and Mary married in 1960 and raised four children together. Don worked for the Wurlitzer Piano & Organ Company for 20 years. After Wurlitzer closed, he earned his real estate agent and commercial appraiser licenses and he operated the Booth Appraisal Co. for 20 years. He also worked for the Lackawanna County Assessor's Office and the State Tax Equalization Board.

Don loved to travel. He and Mary toured extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, Canada and all of the lower 48 states. Don never forgot a place. He could describe each town he visited and provide detailed descriptions even decades later. Don was a member of Rotary International for many years, having been active with the North Scranton and the Mid Valley clubs. He loved military history and thoroughly enjoyed his trips to Normandy, France and Gettysburg, Pa. to tour the battlefields. He never passed up a chance to stop at a garage sale and loved telling everyone of the bargains he found. Don kept in touch with his classmates from St. Paul's for most of his life. For the last 15 years, Don and Mary enjoyed winters in Delray Beach, Fla., relaxing in the warm weather, spending time with Scranton friends there and dining at their favorite restaurants.

The family extends special thanks to Kathleen Parlanti, his nurse, without whom he would not have been able to stay in his home. Kathleen's care and dedication to Don and Mary is unparalleled and she is truly a member of our family now. Also, many thanks to the private duty and hospice nurses who cared for him, spent long hours, stayed overnight and did whatever was necessary to provide the utmost care.

Donald is also survived by three sons, Michael Booth and his wife Karen of Enfield, Conn.; Timothy Booth and his wife Barbara of South Abington Twp.; Paul Booth of Conshohocken; and a daughter, Mary Ellen Reese and her husband Robert of South Abington Twp. Also surviving are his sister, Sheila Smith of Doylestown; and his sister-in-law, Rose Corcoran of Wilkes-Barre. He was the proud grandfather of four, known to them as "Poppy." His grandchildren are Justin Booth, Enfield, Conn.; Ryan Booth and his wife Nicole, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Gretchen Reese, who is attending Norwich University in Northfield, Vt.; and Mary Lynne Reese, South Abington Twp. He also leaves behind nephews, Richard Booth, Geoffrey Smith, Robert Galligan, Robert Toth, James Toth, Michael Toth, Matthew Toth; and nieces, Aimee Goldman-Smith and Michele Toth Demek.

Donald was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard Booth, formerly of Whitehouse Station, N.J.; Robert Booth, formerly of Scranton; and a sister, Louise Bright, formerly of New Hope, Pa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday at the church from 10 to 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509 or stjosephscenter.org/donations/memorial-donation or to a charity of the donor's choice.

For directions, or to leave an online condolence, please visit the funeral home website. Donald's care has been entrusted to Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, Pa. 18411.