John A. Buntz

John A. Buntz, 86, a longtime resident of East Mountain, was called home to be with God on Wednesday evening at Regional Hospital surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born in Scranton to the late John Sr. and Mildred Lang Buntz. He was a former member and usher at St. Mary of the Assumption Church for 72 years until its closing, then became a member of Immaculate Conception Church. He was also involved with the Knights of Columbus. He was a graduate of Scranton Central High School class of 1955 and the University of Scranton, where he received a four-year basketball scholarship. He served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1955 to 1963 when he was honorably discharged.

He was very involved in his community as he was a former committeeman of Boy Scout Troop 16. He was a former coach of South Side Little League, Connell Park Teener League, East Scranton Teener League, South Side Steelers Football and St. Mary's Biddy Basketball. He was a member of the Scranton Police Department for 27 years before retiring in 1989. He was chaplain of EB Jermyn Lodge No. 2, Fraternal Order of Police, for 47 years and a former member of the police honor guard. He was chaplain and secretary for the Lackawanna County Retired Police Officers Association for over 21 years. For his basketball ability he was inducted into the Greater Scranton Area, Chic Feldman Hall of Fame in 1994 and in 2000 he was also inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

He will be remembered as a quiet, kindhearted, gentle, humorous, loving, humble person who was always ready to help others. He deeply loved his family and community.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, the former Ellen McGuire and his son, Robert F. Buntz. Surviving are a son, Brian J. Buntz, and fiancée, Michelle Nealon, Scranton; one grandson, John B. Buntz and his wife, Casey Buntz; and one great-grandson, John B. Buntz Jr. of Scranton.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. from the August J. Haas Funeral Home Inc., 202 Pittston Ave., with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Ave., to be celebrated by the Rev. Jeffrey Tudgay, pastor. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call Tuesday at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. To leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.