Obituaries

Augustino R. Graziano, age 76, a lifelong resident of Old Forge, passed away after an illness Thursday morning at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born on March 5, 1938, son of the late Sam and Margaret Dolinish Graziano, Gus was a graduate of Old Forge High School, Class of 1955. Gus excelled in football and was a four-year starter at Old Forge, playing the position of lineman. He attended Holy Cross College on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of Scranton where he earned his Bachelors Degree in 1960. While at the University of Scranton, he became the first junior and only lineman to garner the Fraternal Order of Eagles Team M.V.P. Award. He received letters of interest from the Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League before playing for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. He ended his football career playing with the Scranton Miners.
As an educator, he spent 32 years teaching in the Old Forge School District, touching the lives of countless students, before his retirement in 2000. While teaching, he served as assistant football coach under the legendary Elio Ghigiarelli. For his accomplishments both on and off the field, Gus was named to the Chic Feldman Scranton Area Sports Hall of Fame. Upon college graduation and throughout his retirement, he was always involved in his familiy’s business, Graziano’s Trucking in Taylor.
He is survived by his loving companion and best friend of 25 years, Phyllis Major of Old Forge; his three beloved children, Melanie Biederman and husband Mark of Clarks Summit, Sam and Bobby Graziano, both of Old Forge; two grandchildren, Jacob and Santino Graziano, both of Old Forge; two aunts, Julia Moriano of Old Forge and Carrie Graziano of Scranton; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
His family wishes to acknowledge both Dr. John Diakiw and his office manager, Shannon Binner, for their wonderful care throughout the years.
Panachida will begin on Monday at 9:00AM at the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, followed by a 10:00AM Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, 140 Church Street in Old Forge, to be concelebrated by Rev. Edward Shestak and Rev. Gary Mensinger. Interment, St. Nicholas’ Parish Cemetery in Old Forge.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Sunday between 2-6:00PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA., 18411, or St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen, 500 Penn Avenue, Scranton, 18503.