Obituaries

Thomas Krenitsky, age 72 and a lifelong resident of Old Forge, passed away Tuesday morning at home after a fearless battle against cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Gomena) Krenitsky. The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on April 29th.
Born on May 26, 1949 and raised in Old Forge, Thomas was the son of Stella (Minnick) Krenitsky of Scranton and the late Peter Krenitsky. A 1967 graduate of Old Forge High School, he then attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, before returning home and beginning his career as a master electrician. For 32 years prior to his 2011 retirement, he worked as an industrial electrician for Schott Advanced Optics in Duryea. Along with his employment for Schott, he also owned and operated Krenitsky’s Electric where he tirelessly served as electrician to much of the Old Forge borough, and beyond. A proud U.S. Veteran, he was honorably discharged in 1970 after serving in the Army Reserves.
A lifelong member of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Old Forge, Thomas was also a member of the Acacia Lodge #579, Free and Accepted Masons.
Beyond his strong work ethic and skill as an electrician was his ability to connect with people. His infectious smile was as memorable as his rapport with others. He loved his longstanding Wednesday Soirees with his friends in his garage and he always enjoyed hunting and fishing, also earning several awards for his skills as a fisherman. He was also a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan…. only when they were winning, of course.
Now at peace, he’ll forever be missed by his loved ones.
He is also survived by his daughter, Tanya Kuckla and husband Peter of Old Forge; his step-daughter, Heather France of Old Forge; his brother, Stephen Krenitsky and wife Mary Ellen of Old Forge; and grandchildren, Anna and Gina Kuckla and Kristian France. He was also preceded in death by his nephew, Stephen Krenitsky.
His family would like to acknowledge and thank both Thomas’s oncologist, Dr. Raghava Reddy Levaka Veera, and also the entire staff of Allied Hospice for their collective care and compassion throughout a difficult time.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday at 10:00 AM in the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge. Burial with military honors by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow St. Michael’s Orthodox Cemetery, Old Forge.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Monday between 4-7:00 PM at the funeral home with Masonic services to be held at 6:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made in Thomas’s name to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.