Thomas Paul Ragan

Thomas Paul Ragan, 75, of Hazleton, passed away Saturday afternoon in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton.

He was born in Milnesville, son of the late John and Margaret (Bobby) Ragan.

He was a member of St. John's the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Hazleton.

Tom was a radio play-by-play announcer, calling decades of local high school football and basketball games for WQEQ/WXPX, Freeland; the co-host of TNT, a popular morning radio show on WQEQ; and a news reporter for WILK. He retired as a reporter for the Standard-Speaker, Hazleton.

He was an avid San Francisco 49ers, Boston Celtics and New York Yankees fan who once interviewed Mickey Mantle and considered it the highlight of his career.

Most importantly, Tom was a devoted husband of 54 years to his wife, Connie, and beloved father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren, who will miss his wise counsel and many jokes.

He is survived by his wife, the former Constance Balon; his two children, Thomas Ragan and his wife, Kimberly, Buffalo, N.Y.; and Debra Letcher and her husband, Craig, Hazle Twp.; his brother, Nicholas Ragan and wife, Paula, Hazleton; grandchildren, Joseph and Faith Letcher; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, John Ragan and Judy DeAngelo.

The funeral will be held 9 a.m. Thursday from Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc. Divine Liturgy with Office of Christian Burial is 9:30 a.m. in St. John's the Baptist B.C. Church, Hazleton.

Interment will be in St. Casimir's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Freeland.

Friends and relatives may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Parastas will be held at 6 p.m.