Walter Tomasheski

Walter Tomasheski passed into eternal life peacefully on February 6 in Scranton, PA. He was 70.

Born in Newark, NJ to Frank and Yolanda (nee Fernicola) Tomasheski, he spent the majority of his life in Kearny, NJ, involved in local politics and as commander of American Legion Post 99. While serving America, he resided in Norfolk, VA.

In 2016, he relocated to Nazareth, PA to be closer to his children and grandchildren. The last year of his life was spent at Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton. Walter served during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Navy, honorably discharged in 1973 where he returned to his hometown. He earned a Bachelor of Science Magna Cum Laude in 1980 from Farleigh Dickinson University.

Walter enjoyed a wide array of interests, including golf, leisure reading, and travel. He was a longtime parishioner at St. Stephen’s in Kearny, member of UNICO, member of The Forty and Eight honor society of American veterans, and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus in Council 4282 in Nazareth, PA. However, he took his deepest joy from spending time with his family.

Surviving are his three children Walter (Hally) of Easton, PA; Paul (Carmen) of Stanhope, NJ; Christine Favocci (Robert, Jr.) of Nazareth, PA. Also, surviving are his seven grandchildren Matthew (age 15), Eva (age 14), Luke (age 13), Gina (age 12), Paul (age 11), Cynthia (age 10), and Robert, III (age 7), siblings Anthony, Adelma Starnes, and Frank; many cousins, nephews, and nieces as well as beloved friends from every stage of his life. Walter was preceded in death by his beloved wife Paula (nee Hudson), who died in Belleville, NJ in 2016, and stillborn son, Stephen.

Visiting is on Friday, February 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thiele-Reid Funeral Home at 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, February 13 at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's Church, 141 Washington Ave., Kearny, NJ. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter Tomasheski, please visit our floral store.