Michael Mikitish

Mr. Michael Mikitish, 92, of Duryea, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Wesley Village Nursing Home, Jenkins Twp., surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Pittston, he was a son of the late Stephen and Anna Mikitish. He was a graduate of Pittston High School, class of 1941, and attended Wilkes University when he returned from the military service. He served in the Army during WWII in both Europe and the Pacific, landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day in 1944, and participating in the military campaign to take the island of Okinawa near Japan in 1945.

He was formerly employed by the Smithsonian Institute of National Aeronautics Space Museum in Washington, D.C., where he was involved in the restoration of many historical aircraft and space vehicles, including Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. He made his home in Washington, D.C., for 29 years before returning to the area in 1979.

He was a member of St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston, where he served for many years as the cantor. He studied and practiced Ruthenian Church plain chant and as well as maintained his Slovak and Carpatho-Rusyn traditions.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He deeply loved his family and was always there when they needed him. Michael and his late wife, Geraldine, who passed away on Feb. 2, 2010, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Jan. 24, 2010.

In addition to his parents and wife, Michael was also preceded in death by his twin sisters, Anna Rava and Margaret Lawrence; his brothers, Joseph Mikitish, John Mikitish and Stephen Mikitish; and his sisters, Helen Oprendick, Marion McGuire and Theresa Bruno.

Surviving are daughters, Michele Barna of Pittston; Geraldine M. Jones of Washington, D.C.; sons, Dr. Michael Mikitish and wife, Rosa Maria of Cherry Hill, N.J; Peter Paul Mikitish and wife, Michelle of Pittston; 10 grandchildren, Nicole and John Warnek, Robert, Nicholas and Joseph Jones, Stephanie and Joseph Mikitish, Elizabeth, Katrina and Michael Mikitish; five great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Francis Marie Levenoskie of Swoyersville; Mary Mikitish of Tuscan, Ariz.; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. from the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main St., Duryea, with a Mass of the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. in St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church, 205 N. Main St., Pittston, by the Rev. Gary Mensinger. Interment will be in the Parish Cemetery, Pittston. A viewing will be held on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Parastas services will be held Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Panachida services will be Monday morning at 9:15 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael's Byzantine Church.

To leave the family an online condolence, visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfuneralhome.com.