Argante G. "Gante" Pisaneschi

Argante G. Pisaneschi "Gante," of Larkmount Manor, 65, an exemplary family man, died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp.

Gante, son of the late George and Rita Pisaneschi, was born in Wilkes-Barre, and grew up in West Wyoming. He was a 1974 graduate of Wyoming Area High School and an honors graduate of Wilkes-Barre Computer School. He had been employed for 40 years as a production support analyst at Harper Collins Publishing, retiring in 2018.

An active Roman Catholic, he had been a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilkes-Barre, for the past 38 years, since marrying his wife, Michelle, there. They would have been married 38 years on June 15.

Gante and Michelle, who built their home in Larkmount Manor while they were engaged, moved in after marriage and have lived there since, were always at each other's sides. They shared many adventures and explored the world together every chance they got. They loved New York City, though Gante had to draw a line in the sand when his wife requested a second home there. Eating out and shopping were favorite pastimes, and LaMela's in Little Italy and Tiffany's were favorite dining and shopping destinations. He enjoyed Broadway plays, Central Park, Times Square and many other scenic and historical sites.

He also enjoyed trips to the Amish country in Lancaster, jaunts to farmers markets and flea markets, the Bloomsburg Fair, and assorted spontaneous day trips as well as spirited evenings out with friends.

Gante traveled to Italy with his wife and daughter to visit the home in Cassarese where his mother was born and raised before coming to America after World War II.

He adored his family, for whom he would do anything at any time, and he doted on his three grandsons. Trips to visit them in the Packanack Lake, N.J., region were too numerous to count, and he will be fondly remembered as an extraordinary grandfather.

He also loved his home and was a caretaker of all God's creatures, often seen feeding the squirrels, birds and rabbits that congregated in his back yard awaiting his handouts. He was similarly generous to humankind and will be remembered as a dignified yet witty man with both charisma and a gentle, compassionate spirit.

Right up until his death, Gante shared many energetic outings with his grandsons. Together they visited Kalahari Resorts, Knoebels, the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Claws 'N' Paws, Roba Family Farms, the Irem Shrine Circus, the Crayola Experience and many other colorful spots.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gante is survived by his wife, the former Michelle Emerick; his daughter, Mary Jonelle Menz; son-in-law, Brian Menz; and three grandsons, Michael Menz; and twins, John and Walter Menz, all of Wayne, N.J.; his brother, George D. (Dino) Pisaneschi, West Wyoming; and nieces, Maria Pisaneschi, Swoyersville; and Beth Pisaneschi, Hudson.

Services were held from A.J. Kopicki Funeral Home, 263 Zerby Ave., Kingston, with a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by the Rev. Joseph Pisaneschi and concelebrated by the Rev. Joseph Verespy and the Rev. Andrew Hvozdovic in Our Lady of Fatima Parish at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 134 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wyoming, where Gante was buried in the family plot.

Memorial contributions can be made to a SPCA in honor of the creatures Gante looked after while on Earth, or to a charity of the donor's choice.