Eric Wassel

Eric W. Wassel Esq., 55, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Cleveland Clinic. He faced many unique medical challenges, all of which he met with profound resilience and dignity. He never lost his zest for life.

He was the third child born to John V. "Bud" Wassel and Jacqueline J. Capretto Wassel.

Eric was a graduate of Greater Latrobe Area High School, a 1992 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, and a 1995 graduate of Widener Law School. Eric began his legal career in 1996, working in Greensburg. He relocated to Northeast Pennsylvania in 1999 and began to serve the community. In 2015, he opened his own practice on Main Street in Pittston.

He was an avid golfer and member at Fox Hill Country Club, where he was well respected and had a brotherhood of friends. He was an adjunct professor at Misericordia University. He was an executive board member of the Luzerne County Bar Association and served as chairman of the annual golf outing for 25 years.

Eric was a Jenkins Township Little League Coach and truly enjoyed games and practices. He loved his second home on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where he vacationed since he was a child. He enjoyed spending time with family on the beach, playing a competitive game of mini golf, and organizing an annual golf trip with friends.

Eric felt blessed to have spent 33 years with his devoted wife, Melissa. They were married for 29 years and shared two beautiful children, his greatest joys, Gabby and Tyler.

Eric was a passionate Pittsburgh sports fan. He was a POV blogger for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, H2P! He loved all the Pittsburgh sports teams — Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. It wasn't a Pittsburgh sports weekend without a capicola and cheese from Primanti Bros.

In addition to his parents, John V. "Bud" and Jacqueline Wassel; wife, Melissa (Falcone) Wassel; and children, Gabby and Tyler Wassel; Eric is survived by sisters, Rachelle Wassel (Scott Glassmith), Pittsburgh; and Jennifer Graham (Paul), North Huntington; brother, Todd Wassel (Kelly) Greensburg; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Louise and Dr. Sam Falcone; brother-in-law, Atty. Sam Falcone; former sister-in-law, Holly Falcone; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who were like family to him.

Eric's wife and children invite friends and relatives to celebrate his life from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Adonizio Funeral Home LLC, 251 William St., Pittston, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Maria Goretti Parish, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m.; The Rev. James Paisley will officiate.

The family extends a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Allied, Geisinger, University of Pennsylvania, his kidney donor, Darcy Eid, the tremendous team at the Cleveland Clinic, the Med Angels, Dr. Robert Yanoshak and William Williams and Sandra Williams.

Eric's spirit to help others throughout his life, despite his own health challenges, earned a recent honor for nearly 15 years of fundraising leadership for children with autism who are treated at the Allied Services John P. Moses Pediatric Rehabilitation Center.

To continue his legacy, in lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to donate to the pediatric therapy program: Allied Services Foundation, in memory of Eric Wassel, Esq, 100 Abington Executive Park, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or at alliedservices.org/giving.

To leave a condolence, visit adoniziofuneralhome.com.