Michael David Kolesar

Michael David Kolesar, 76, a resident of the Back Mountain, passed away Friday morning, Sept. 13, 2024, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Twp., surrounded by his family.

Born on Aug. 28, 1948, in Taylor, Michael was one of six children born to the late Michael Kolesar and Victoria Mudzik Kolesar.

Raised in West Wyoming, Michael was a graduate of the former West Wyoming High School, Class of 1966. He later went on to further his education at Penn State University, Lehman Campus.

A United States Army veteran, Michael honorably served his country for nearly three years during the Vietnam War, serving almost a full year on the front line in Vietnam. He was the recipient of several awards, most notably the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry; the Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Army Commendation Medal. Upon his honorable discharge on Jan. 5, 1971, he attained the rank of Specialist 5.

Prior to his retirement, Michael was a professional land surveyor, working on countless projects throughout the Wyoming Valley.

Michael served on the Kingston Twp. Planning Commission; was an usher at the Scranton Cultural Center; and formerly served as a volunteer firefighter.

Having a lifelong passion for music, Michael played with "The Intruders" rock and roll band in his earlier years. He loved playing the guitar and was a frequent concert goer throughout his life.

Michael loved his home and feeding all the local wildlife around it. He also enjoyed woodworking; fishing; and making his famous gin and tonics. Most recently he became a novice sawyer. Above all, his greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with his family and friends - he truly was a loving and devoted father, companion, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor.

In addition to his parents, Michael and Victoria, Michael was preceded in death by his brother, John Kolesar; sister, Dianne Kolesar; brother-in-law, Raymond Meckalavage; and sister-in-law, Doris Kolesar.

Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Alison Kolesar, South Carolina; and Amanda Hoon and her husband, Daniel, York; loving companion of many years, Diana McCabe, Avoca; brothers, George Kolesar and his wife, Nancy, Richboro; Daniel Kolesar and his wife, Pat, Binghamton, New York; sister, Victoria Meckalavage, Exeter; generations of nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

Michael's viewing was held at Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, where a Panachida service was celebrated by the Rev. Andrii Dumnych, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston. Military honors were accorded by the United States Army.

To share a memory of Michael or message of condolence with his family, visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

The family kindly requests that memorial contributions may be made in Michael's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, or by visiting woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.