Harold F. Gillern

Harold F. Gillern, 92 1/2, Dunmore, died Thursday in Geisinger-Community Medical Center, Scranton.  He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Grace Alice Gibbons in 2014.

Born in Scranton, son of the late Harold Francis and Margaret Anderson Gillern, and stepson to the late Pauline Clarke, he was a graduate of Dunmore High School and went on to graduate from the University of Scranton with a degree in Sociology.  Prior to retirement, he had been employed as a purchasing agent with both A&P and Trane, while also bartending at Andy Gavin’s and Uncle Mike’s in the Providence section of Scranton.  He later went on to drive for Scavone’s Wholesale Florist for six years after he had retired.  Harold was a member at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Dunmore, and would often watch daily mass on television.  He was an avid reader, prolific artist, and history buff who enjoyed listening to the radio, affectionately known as “the wireless,” and loved to take a good nap, or as he had termed it, a “lie down.”    He and his wife were great travelers, and he truly loved hiking and walking, and exploring the old Pennsylvania Gravity Railroad with his son. 

Surviving are daughters, Marigrace Loftus and Margi Gillern, both of Dunmore; and son Tom and wife Kristen, Philadelphia; grandchildren Joseph W. Loftus and wife Juliette, New Ross, Ireland; Shane Gillern, Philadelphia; and Nora Gillern, Brooklyn; his sister Sonnie McHale, Dunmore; sister-in-law Birdie Gillern, Rochester, NY; nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Suzanne Sullivan, and brothers Bill and Terry.

The funeral will be Wednesday with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, Chestnut St., Dunmore.  Interment to follow in the parish cemetery.  There is no public viewing.  All those attending the mass are asked to go directly to the church,  and kindly follow current guidelines of wearing a mask and social distancing.

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