Paul R. Yanisko

Paul R. Yanisko, 83, of Dunmore, passed away Monday afternoon at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. He is survived by his wife, the former Ann Iezzi. The couple celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 24.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late George and Anna Mezhenko Yanisko. He was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School and, prior to retirement, he was a computer operator for Lackawanna County. Paul was president of the Lackawanna County Employees Federal Credit Union during his 27 years of service, and in the Pennsylvania National Guard HHC 3rd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, and received the General Thomas Stewart Medal.

Paul was a local official, referee and umpire for high school (PIAA) and amateur sports including baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer and wheelchair basketball.

He was International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, IAABO, Basketball Officials Board #61 secretary-treasurer, coordinated local college basketball officials and received the Pa. State IAABO Board #162 John Weaver Award. He was Amateur Softball Association District 16 commissioner, District 16 commissioner emeritus, and in the ASA of Pa. Hall of Fame. He ran ASA District 16 Modified National and State softball tournaments at the Southside Complex, Scranton, Pa., and was selected as an official for an Armed Forces softball tournament in Virginia Beach, Va. Paul participated in Wildwood Pigskin Clinics in Wildwood, N.J., and was in a lineage of officials, following in the footsteps of older brothers George and Tom.

He is remembered as principled, ethical and fair; rules interpreter for basketball, assigning secretary for softball. He also recruited and mentored young officials.

Also surviving are a daughter, Lori Beardell and husband, Frank, Wilmington, Del.; sons, Paul and wife, Sandi, Boyertown, Pa.; Steve and wife, Stacey, Dunmore; and David and wife, Jenn, Oneonta, N.Y.; grandchildren, Will, Tess and Paul Beardell, Anna and Erik Yanisko, Stephen, Luke and Alec Yanisko; sisters, Anne Notz and Martha Dougher, both of Scranton; brothers, Tom Yanisko, West Lawn, Pa.; and Robert Yanisko and wife, Cathy, Dunmore; brothers-in-law, Domnick Iezzi and wife, Ann Marie; and Bill Iezzi and wife, Florence; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Theresa Thompson, Mary Lenns and Joan McHale; and a brother, George Yanisko.

The funeral will be Friday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with a Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street in Dunmore. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery.

Friends may call Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Red Cross, 3 W. Olive St., Scranton, PA 18508; or the Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

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