Angelo M. Gadola

Angelo M Gadola, 77, of Pardeesville, passed away Thursday evening at his home following a two-year illness.

Born in Hazleton on Nov. 9, 1944, he was the son of the late Angelo P. and Marie (Grazio) Gadola and spent most of his life in Pardeesville.

Angelo was a 1962 graduate of Hazle Twp. High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish at St. Joseph's Church, Hazleton. He was the President of Parkwood Construction Inc., T/A of United Concrete Forms, Angelo M. Gadola Contractor, Angleo Gadola Realty and M & G Construction. He had also previously worked for Gene Fierro Contractor.

He was also a member of the Hazleton Elks Lodge, Young Men's Polish Association and the Hazleton Swing Club, where he served as president for six years. He was instrumental with the rebuilding of the Pardeesville Playground. He loved Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, crossword puzzles, his morning cup of coffee and working in his garage, which he called "tinkering."

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by a brother, Nicholas and his wife, Annetta; a sister, Ann Houseknecht and her husband, Wayne; and son-in-law, Master Sgt. Paul D. Karpowich.

Surviving are his wife of the past 52 years, the former Patricia Lesko; two sons, Angelo Jr. and his wife, Stacey, Pardeesville; and Scott, Pardeesville; two daughters, Heather Morgans and her husband, Jesse, Boynton Beach, Fla.; and Amanda Lepore and her husband, Anthony, Chalfont; nine grandchildren, Angelo Gadola III and his wife, Ameera, Montana; Ariana Paige and her husband, Michael Rose, Texas; Alana, Brayden and Preston Gadola, Pardeesville; Michael Gadola, Pardeesville; Ruby, Elias and Samuel Morgans, Florida; two great-grandchildren, Scarlett Gadola and Paul Daniel Gadola; numerous neices and nephews; and godchildren, Vincent Jones, Joseph Gadola Jr., Angelo Rodreguez, Christopher Sauers and Danelle Lesko.

His funeral will be held Wednesday with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Queen of Heaven Parish in Our Lady of Grace Church, Hazleton. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Drums. Friends may call Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass in the church.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or at www.stjude.org; to the Pardeesville Recreation Association, 683 Pardeesville Road, Hazle Twp., 18202; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East) 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences can be entered, and information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.