Thomas P. Saxton Sr.

March 29, 2010

Thomas P. Saxton Sr., 84, a resident of Kingston, died on Monday, March 29, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Larksville, he was a son of the late Thomas and Margaret Barrett Saxton. He was a graduate of St. Vincent's High School, Plymouth, and a member of the first graduating class of King's College, Wilkes-Barre. He received a Master's Degree in Hospital Administration from Columbia University of New York City. In 1985, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from King's College. Following graduation from high school, Mr. Saxton served for 2 ½ years in the U.S. Navy, primarily in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of the war. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with two battle stars. He began his hospital career at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Meshoppen, and was the first administrator of the Tyler Memorial Hospital, now in Tunkhannock. In 1967, he was appointed as Assistant Administrator and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and the Wyoming Valley Healthcare Systems. During his more than 23 years of leadership, he saw the hospital develop from an excellent community hospital to a major referral center. During his tenure, the first open-heart surgery program, the first MRI Center, and the first comprehensive cancer treatment center were among the programs established in the area. Mr. Saxton's interest in geriatric care led to the acquisition of Heritage House and its development of levels of care appropriate to patients' needs. His interest in education, together with other hospitals in the area, led to the establishment of Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program. He and the Board of Directors were involved with the acquisition of Maxie's Flea Market in Kingston as the site of the development of a major outpatient center and fitness center. Upon his retirement in 1995, the Board of Directors named the Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion in his honor. Mr. Saxton received the distinguished Service Award from the Visiting Nurse Association. Active in healthcare planning through his career, he was named by Governor Shapp to the State Advisory Committee for Healthcare Planning. He was a Fellow in the American College of Hospital Administrators, served as Chairman of the American Hospital Association Committee on Healthcare Planning, and was involved in the formation of the local Association for Comprehensive Health Planning. Mr. Saxton served on many local Boards of Directors. He was the first layperson to be appointed to the Board of Directors at King's College, and served on the planning committee that led to the formation of the Wilkes University Hahnemann Medical School affiliation. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Pierce, Rita Hopkins, and Margaret West. Mr. Saxton was cared for by the Hospice Program of the Visiting Nurses Association. The Saxton family wishes to express their sincere respect and gratitude to the Visiting Nurses Association and to all of the doctors and nurses who cared for him. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Loretta Keegan Saxton.; his four children, David P. Saxton, Thomas P. Saxton Jr., Mary Saxton Boylan and Ann Saxton. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jessica, David, Bridget, Molly, Sean, Emily and Thomas; and one great-grandchild, Matthew. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass which will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Kingston. Friends may call Monday, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the church. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Thomas P. Saxton Scholarship Fund, King's College, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Arrangements are by Maher-Collins Funeral Home, Kingston. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.maher-collins.com .