Thomas J. Hrivnak

Thomas J. Hrivnak, 75, of Newport News, Va., passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Tom was born in Kingston, to John and Mary (Tershak) Hrivnak. He was employed by the United Pants Company in Swoyersville, until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1967.

While in the Air Force, he worked in the intelligence career field at bases in Turkey, Taiwan, Ohio, Guam, New York, Germany, Iceland, Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. He graduated from the Senior Enlisted Intelligence Program at the Defense Intelligence College in Washington, D.C., in 1985. He retired from the Air Force as a senior master sergeant at Langley AFB, Va., in 1988.

After retirement from the Air Force, he began a civil service career at Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, as an intelligence plans manager. He obtained his bachelor's degree in human resources management from Saint Leo College, Fla., in 1990. He retired from civil service in 2009.

Tom enjoyed visiting his daughters and grandchildren, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, the Bethlehem Music Fest, long walks, Air Force and Army band concerts, writing, and folk music. He was an avid Penn State and Steelers fan.

Tom is survived by his wife, Cecilia (Lin); daughters: Elaine Cameron, of Midlothian, Va.; Catherine Hixson, of Lawrence, Kan.; and Laura Hrivnak, of Lawrence, Kan.; four grandchildren: Brenden and Paige Cameron, of Midlothian, Va.; and Francie and Grant Hixson, of Lawrence, Kan.; sisters: Cindy Hrivnak, of Forty-Fort, Pa.; and Karen Hrivnak, of Bethlehem, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph, in 1946; his father, in 1979; his mother, in 2010; and his sisters: Dorothy Krakosky, in 2011; and Maryann Hrivnak, in 2012.

Visitation will take place from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Friday, at Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home Ltd., 568 Bennett Street, Luzerne. A Requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Parish, Luzerne. Interment will be in St. John Nepomucene Cemetery, Courtdale.