Obituary of Thomas F. Kovaleski

Thomas Francis Kovaleski, 73, of Honesdale, formerly of Carbondale, died on Friday, March 18, 2011, at home after a prolonged battle with cancer. His wife, the former Joyce Faye Bishop preceded him in death in 1993. Born on February 18, 1938 in Dunmore, he was the son of the late Albert and Esther Dinkel Kovaleski. Tom served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was very proud of his military service to this country. Tom was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Parish and faithfully attended Mass when his health permitted. He was a Lifetime Member of the VFW Post 531 in Honesdale and previously served of the Commander. Tom also was a former member of the Elks Lodge. He was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. Tom was an exceptionally talented groundskeeper and loved maintaining his home and property. He was a strong, loving man who cared about his family above all else. He is survived by three children: Randy Kovaleski and his wife Cindy, Lisa Tomaine and her husband Thomas Bayster, and Suzanne Day and her husband Kevin all of Honesdale; nine siblings: Donald, Daniel, Anthony, Francis, Shirley, Rosemary, Walter, Robert, and John; eight grandchildren: Megan Massa, Nicholas Kovaleski, Jocelyn Kovaleski, Ryan Merring, Thomas Tomaine, Stephanie Tomaine, Matthew Day, and Alexander Day; one great-grandchild: Deklan Constable. He was also preceded in death by six siblings: Albert, Kenneth, William Joseph, Thelma, Esther, and James. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, in St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Terrace Street, Honesdale. Friends are asked to go directly to the church. Friends may visit on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 at the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home 1228 Main Street, Honesdale, Pa., 18431. Interment will be on Wednesday in the Darling Cemetery.