Andrew Barilla Jr.

1937 - 2020

Magisterial District Judge Andrew Barilla Jr., 83, a life resident of Swoyersville, fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday afternoon, July 23, 2020, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.

His beloved wife is Mary Ann (Charnetski) Barilla. Andy and Mary Ann celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on June 27.

Born Jan. 21, 1937, in Swoyersville, Andrew was one of three children born to the late Andrew Barilla Sr. and Margaret (Drugotch) Barilla.

Andy was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, Class of 1955, where he held the distinction of being the first three-sport all-scholastic athlete, lettering in football, basketball and baseball.

Following high school, Andy had a baseball tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and eventually accepted a football scholarship from Michigan State University, playing football there until an injury to his knee caused him to leave the university. Healing from the knee injury, he accepted a football scholarship from Lock Haven State Teachers College, where again, he suffered an injury to the same knee, ending his football career.

Upon returning home, he gained employment for a short time with the former Ostrander Iron Works, Pringle. He then went on to become employed by the Foster Wheeler Corporation, Mountain Top, where he was their shop steward, and also worked on an on-call basis as a loader for the former ACME Warehouse, Forty Fort, in an effort to afford his family a comfortable living.

Always concerned for his hometown, Andy decided to run for Swoyersville Borough Council, winning a seat, and for 10 years proudly represented the residents of Swoyersville. As a councilman, he served as the borough's chairman of the fire department, and in that role, he was instrumental in the connection of Swoyersville to Luzerne by coordinating the paving of Chapel Street. He was also instrumental with the opening of Chestnut Street to Tener Street for ease of access for emergency responders, and the widening of Slocum Street by the park for the safety of the children who play there. He was also proud to be the honorary Santa Claus for the Swoyersville Christmas parades during his years on council.

While working and serving as a Swoyersville Borough councilman, Andy went on to attend Wilson College, Chambersburg, where he received his certification to practice as a magisterial district judge in 1973.

In 1974, Andy was elected to serve as a magisterial district judge, serving in that capacity and running unopposed for 31 years. In 2006 he earned the title of Senior Magisterial District Judge, and retired all together from the bench at the age of 78.

Professionally, Andy was the last district judge to serve two terms as a president of the Special Court Judges of Pennsylvania; served as past president of the Wyoming Valley Crime Clinic; and ran the seatbelt campaign "Judges Love Kids" where he visited local schools, many times with his grandchildren, to raise the awareness of wearing seatbelts.

A faithful and devout Catholic, Andy was a life member of St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville, where he held membership with its former Holy Name Society. He truly loved his church and the customs of his faith, and for many years he participated in a traveling choir under the direction of Cantor George Daru.

Andy's life was well marked by his commitment to the Borough of Swoyersville. He was the last surviving charter member of the Swoyersville Baseball for Boys, now known as Roosevelt Field on Church Street, and was also a longtime team sponsor of the Swoyersville Girls Softball League, always titling his team "Barilla's", a tradition his son, David, still carries on. His concern also reached the neighboring Borough of Forty Fort when Andy was able to convince PennDOT to put a right-hand turning lane southbound from Wyoming Avenue onto Dennison Street. For his years of dedication and support for the Borough of Swoyersville, Andy was granted the distinct honor of having the Slocum Street Park named in his honor to "The Honorable Andrew Barilla Jr. Park" in 2019.

Andy was a member of the Slovak League, serving as its past president; a member of the Wilkes-Barre Penn State Club; a member of Emanon Country Club, Falls; and a social member of Fox Hill Country Club, Exeter.

Above all, Andy was first and foremost a devoted family man. The love and admiration he had for his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family was beyond comparison, and his departure leaves a void that can never be filled on this Earth.

In addition to his parents, Andrew and Margaret Barilla, Andy was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Lisa Barilla, who passed away on March 26, 1972.

In addition to his wife, Mary Ann, Andy is survived by his children, Susan Barilla-Davis and her husband, William, Swoyersville; Magisterial District Judge David Barilla, Swoyersville; Anita Waravdekar and her husband, Dr. Neil, Frederick, Maryland; and Andrew Barilla IV and his wife, Kayanne, Dallas; his grandchildren, Jonathan (Chrissy) Davis; Jennifer (Doug) Parulis; Drew, Rebecca, Cristina, and Nicolas Waravdekar; Corporal Alexander Barilla, U.S. Army, stationed in South Korea; and Kathryn and Margaret Barilla; his step-grandson, William (Kim) Davis Jr.; his great-grandchildren, Brayden, Keegan, and Shea Davis; his step-great-grandchildren, Gavin and Parker Davis; his sister, Mary Ann Yurko and her husband, Richard, Swoyersville; his brother, John Barilla and his wife, Jeanne, Swoyersville; his brother-in-law, Anthony Charnetski and his wife, Sandy, Nanticoke; as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.

Andy's family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the nurses and staff of Erwine Home Health and Hospice for the gentle care they bestowed upon Andy during his final days. They also wish to thank Dr. Stanley Lobitz and his nurse, Carolyn, for their years of care and concern for Andy; and a very special thank you to Dr. Charles Manganiello, who has been a longtime friend to the Barilla family, for all he did to ensure Andy could remain at home during his final days.

The family invites all of Andy's family and friends to attend his viewing at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort. The first day of viewing will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 27, 2020. The second day of viewing will be held from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a concelebrated Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, 205 N. Main St., Pittston. The Very Rev. Michael Popson, dear friend of the Barilla family, will be the celebrant.

Those attending the Divine Liturgy are asked to assemble directly at the church as there will be no procession from the funeral home on Wednesday morning.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the family will privately lay Andy to rest in St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

In keeping with federal, state and diocesan guidelines arising from the COVID-19 virus, those attending the viewings and/or funeral service are required to wear a facial covering and observe social distancing. These guidelines will be strictly enforced.

For additional information or to send the Barilla family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made in Andy's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

"Blažennyj pokoj; vi?hnaya pamyat" Blessed repose and eternal memory!