Thomas Afilani

SWOYERSVILLE-Thomas Afilani, 83, of Park Avenue, Swoyersville, passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2007, in Hospice Community Care, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. Born in Chester on March 20, 1924, he was a son of the late Luigi and Minnie (Carney) Afilani. He was an Army Veteran of World War II having served as a Staff Sergeant in the Field Artillery Battalion under General Patton in the Third Army. He served in five campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. Prior to retiring in 1986, he was employed as a glassmaker by Schott Glass Technologies. He was avid about physical fitness, having worked out about 5 times a week at ProFitness, Moosic, where he was a member for 20 years. He was an avid sports fan who loved music and traveling. Surviving is his wife of 42 years, the former Marion R. Burke; a son, Thomas L. and his wife, Judy of Jersey Shore; two grandchildren, Pamela Hawk of Vancouver, WA, and Michael of Lock Haven; three great grandchildren, Hailey, Howard and Gavin; one nephew. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Avoca, with the Reverend Phillip J. Sladicka officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Community Care, 601 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, PA 18704; SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main Street, Fox Hill Road, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 or Pancreatic Cancer Research at Johns Hopkins University, c/o Ralph H. Hruban, M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions; 401 North Broadway, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD 21231-2410. Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, Inc., 728 Main St., Avoca, is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences at www.BestLifeTributes.com.