Robert F. Luchetti

LAFLIN — Robert F. Luchetti, 77, of Laflin, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, July 18, 2017, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

He and his loving and devoted wife, Catherine A. (Dente) Luchetti, celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on Oct. 27, 2016.

Born in Pittston Township, he was a son of the late Philip and Lena (Loreti) Luchetti. He was a graduate of Pittston Township High School, class of 1957. He attended Bucknell University, University of Chicago and Luzerne County Community College.

Bob was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Post discharge, he had worked for the U.S. Army Map Service in Washington, D.C., responsible for the publication and distribution of military topographic maps used by U.S. military forces.

Prior to retirement, Bob was the vice president and senior loan officer of First National Bank of Pittston, which became The First Bank of Greater Pittston. In addition, he also worked for the Sunday Dispatch as a photographer.

Bob had a vast outreach to his community. Bob served on the board of directors for the Greater Pittston YMCA and Pittston Industrial and Commercial Development Authority. He was a fourth degree past grand knight and past faithful navigator of JFK Council 372, Pittston.

He was past president and assistant chief of Hughestown Hose Company. He was a member of the PA Bankers Consumer Lending Committee, American Bankers Association, Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce and Pittston Area High School Business Advisory Board. He was a former commissioner of Pittston City Civil Service Commission. Bob was the recipient of "The Chaplain of Four Chaplains" Legion of Honor Award. He was a member of St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin.

Bob was a beloved husband, dad, papa, brother, uncle and friend. He had a heart of gold and did whatever he could for anyone and was always willing to go the extra mile. He had a wealth of knowledge on just about any topic. He loved his family with every ounce of his being, especially his grandchildren; they were his world and he was their hero. His life encompassed family, love, community and country.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his daughters, Lori Ann Luchetti Jugus, Mary Kay D'Elia and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Stephanie Jugus, Matthew and Marissa D'Elia; brother, Ronald Luchetti and wife, Jackie; aunts, Norma and Genevieve Pascucci; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017, in St. Maria Goretti Church, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin, to be celebrated by the Rev. James J. Walsh, pastor. Entombment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. The Parish Rosary Group will recite the rosary at 10 a.m. in the church. Military services will be conducted by the AMVETS Honor Guard of Greater Pittston. Relatives and friends may pay their respects from 9:30 a.m. to the time of the Mass on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Maria Goretti Church, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin, PA 18702, the CEO/Weinberg Regional Food Bank, P.O. Box 1127, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703, or to the Greater Pittston Historical Society, 47 Broad St., Pittston, PA 18640.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Baloga Funeral Home Inc., 1201 Main St., Pittston, (Port Griffith).

To send an online condolence, please visit www.balogafuneralhome.com.