Tyrone Gayeski

Tyrone "Terry" Gabriel Gayeski was born on July 28, 1937, in Mocanaqua, with quite the name combination. His Polish mother, Pauline Yamilkoski, swooned over Hollywood heartthrob Tyrone Power. His father, Adam Gayewski, a professional boxer (34-2, including 1932 matches in Madison Square Garden) and coal miner, did not. So, Adam nicknamed his firstborn son Terry, after an Irish pugilist champion he admired, "Terrible Terry" McGovern. The Roman Catholic Priest was not a fan of the name Tyrone either, considering its Gaelic pagan history, and suggested Pauline and Adam choose a Christian middle name. They happily settled on the Christmas Archangel Gabriel.

Growing up at that time in anthracite-rich Northeastern Pennsylvania included breaker boy work, but coal was dangerous. Adam survived a mine cave-in. The company gave up on him, although his friends dug him out days later. He was crippled for life. The writing was on the wall, so Terry got out of the Coal Region by enlisting in the Air Force at age 17. Military planes flew him around the world for 20 years, first to Shepherds Grove, England, and later to Phu Cat, Vietnam, just in time for Ho Chi Minh's Tet Offensive. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Terry took advantage of military funded free education, earning bachelor's and master's degrees, and ultimately retired as a captain.

Having safely returned to the United States, he met another Air Force captain — Los Angeles-born future wife Gail Yvonne Wisehart — settled down, and had two boys, Ty Gabriel (Jr.) and Troy Adam. Bear Creek, Pa., became home.

Frustrated with the political direction of America in 1979, he wrote the book "Tough Decisions by Past Presidents and Tough Decisions to be Made by You." In that book, he got some things right (predicting the legalization of marijuana) and some things wrong (he was concerned about his sons' future education; they graduated from West Point and MIT respectively). Later he entered politics, serving as a Bear Creek Township supervisor for 18 years. A firm believer in sports, he helped clean up Trailwood baseball field and create the original Bear Creek Recreation Park. Often quoting people from Churchill to Yogi Berra, he had his own zinger: "Build gyms now, or build prisons later." His favorite word was civilization.

He adored spending time with his sons. Outdoors they fished, swam, hiked, camped, hunted, gardened and played ball. Indoors they read, painted, worked on projects, listened to classical and popular music, and read some more. At the end of every day, he cherished watching the news. Sundays were church and family. Vacations were not to popular Florida; rather, they were to battlefields like Gettysburg or to museums like the Smithsonian or to the sequoias of California.

In his twilight years, he became a Cheers-like "Norm" at the 10 East End Center Red Lobster in Wilkes-Barre Township. The restaurant team affectionately referred to him as "The Salmon Man" because he always ate salmon. He became a grandfather figure to quite a few employees and was an actual grandfather to Troy's two sons, Jayden and Jaxon. The family thanks that friendly Red Lobster crew.

Terry joined his Heavenly Father on Sept. 21. He is survived by his former wife, Gail; sons, Ty and Troy; grandchildren, Jayden and Jaxon; brother, Vin; and sisters, Janice Piestrak, Theresa Berti and Doris.

Cheers to a long and happy life!