Robert J. Durko

OLD FORGE-Robert Joseph "Papa Bear" Durko of 356 Orchard Street, Old Forge, passed away Sunday, May 11 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medial Center, Plains Township. His wife of 46 years, the former Margaret A. "Margie" Doland, passed away February 22, 2005. He was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Dudzik) Durko and attended Avoca High School. He served as a Military Policeman in the United States Army. He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Church, Avoca. Prior to retiring in 2000, he was employed as a forklift operator by Plainwell Tissue, Pittston Township, for 41 years. He was a member of the International Paper Workers Union. He believed in strong family values and work ethics. He was a proud man of his children and loved being a grandfather and great-grandfather. Surviving are his daughters, Ann Marie Durko Rutkowski and her companion, William Lutz, Duryea; Patricia Durko Durkan and her husband, Sean, Dunmore; sons Stanley Durko and his wife, Brenda, Old Forge; Joseph Durko and his companion Cindy Croman, Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, Kasey Rutkowski Knorr, Dunmore; Joseph Rutkowski, Duryea; Carissa Durko, Old Forge; Robert, Michael and Daniel Durko, Wilkes-Barre; great-granddaughter, Kayla, Dunmore; Brothers, Paul Durko, Duryea and John Durko, Avoca; several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held Thursday at 9:00 a.m. from Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, Inc., 728 Main Street, Avoca, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in SS. Peter and Paul Church, Avoca. The Reverend Mark Bochinski will officiate. Friends may call Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Send condolences at www.BestLifeTributes.com.