Obituaries

Fred J. Tagliaterra, Jr., age 79, of Greenfield Twp., and formerly of Old Forge and Moosic Lakes, passed away Tuesday evening at Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit, Dunmore, after a brief illness. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Fortini Tagliaterra. The couple celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on October 27th. Fred often said his only regret was that he didn’t marry Judy sooner.
Born in Pittston on October 19, 1937, and the son of the late Fred, Sr. and Jenny Ross Tagliaterra, he was a graduate of Old Forge High School, Class of 1955. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. Reserves, having received an Honorable Discharge.
A well-known plasterman his entire life, he worked very hard to provide his family with everything. He was a 30-year Gold Star member of the Local Pasterman’s Union #100. He was also a lifelong member of the Moosic Lakes Association, serving eight years as president while being a security member for many more. Of Roman Catholic faith, he belonged to St. John Vianney Parish, Scott Twp.
In his younger days, Fred trained in the martial arts, earning a 2nd degree black belt. He served as an instructor for many years, teaching the art of Tang Soo Do Karate at both the Dunmore Y.M.C.A. and Scranton Y.W.C.A., along with his karate partner and friend, the late Master Mary Ann Walsh.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing at Moosic Lakes alongside his sons, Fred and Joseph. He later enjoyed watching his grandson Ethan’s love of the outdoors and his own passion for hunting and fishing.
Fred had a personailty that was larger than life. He brightened a room just by being in it. He would make friends with whomever he encountered. He was kind, generous and spirited and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, but especially by those who loved him most, his beloved wife, children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his two children, Lisa Lee and husband Bob of Fleetville, and Joseph Tagliaterra and companion Christy Sovitch of Old Forge; his siblings, Phyllis Fiske and husband Larry and Santo Tagliaterra and wife Ursula, all of Old Forge; his brother-in-law, Don Fortini and wife Marge of Harrisburg; his four grandchildren, Mikenna and Ethan Lee and Samantha and Dominick Tagliaterra; nieces and nephews, Frederick and Larry Fiske of Old Forge and Don, Jim and Joe Fortini, Maria Marion and Anita Dahl, all of Harrisburg; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Fred Tagliaterra, III, on October 15, 2015.
His family would like to extended their gratitude to Fred’s doctors who have taken such great care of him, including Drs. Kenneth Sebastianelli, Carl Barsigian and entire office staff and Joseph Shovlin.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Monday at 9:15AM from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, with a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Prince of Peace Parish, in Old Forge, to be concelebrated by Rev. August A. Ricciardi, Pastor, and Rev. Michael J., Kirwin, Ph.D. Interment will full military honors by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow at Old Forge Cemetery. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Sunday between 4-7:00PM at the funeral home.