Obituaries

Gerald (Jerry) Tonkin, age 69 and a lifelong resident of Scranton, passed away Tuesday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, after an illness. He is survived by best friend and beloved wife of 42 years, Suzanne (McMullen) Tonkin. The couple were married on October 13, 1979.
Born on New Year’s Eve of 1952, Jerry was the son of the late Gerald W. and Sadie (Gustin) Tonkin. He was a graduate of the former Scranton Central High School, Class of 1970, before studying at the University of Scranton. He then began a career in his family’s business, Gustin Vending, and continued working as co-owner and operator until the time of his death.
Jerry will undoubtedly never be forgotten. His ability to connect with others left him with treasured friendships and relationships. He was a natural athlete and his accolades spoke for themselves. A well-known golfer throughout the region, he won countless tournaments and was a proud member of the “Muni Rats” of the Scranton Municipal Golf Course.
He was a lifelong bowler and a fixture at Scranton’s South Side Bowl where he bowled six career 300 games and possibly even more impressive, two 800 series. Jerry was a baseball standout in his youth and avid Yankees fan. He and his wife traveled extensively throughout the years and loved the islands.
Despite his natural abilities, he was always the most humble player on the course, lanes or field. He adored his family and through his wife, children and grandchildren, his legacy will long live on.
He is survived by his adoring children, Colleen Ambron and husband Ian of Ambler and Jerry Tonkin and fiancée Rose Katchmore of Pittston; three granddaughters, Sadie, Noelle and Claudia and another granddaughter on the way; his sister, Shirley Mourad and husband Mickhael of Scranton; an uncle, Kenneth Tonkin; an aunt, Barbara Gustin; nieces, Laura Loss and Kathy Mourad, and a great nephew, Derek Loss, as well as several cousins.
His family would like to acknowledge and thank the entire staffs of both Regional Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s E.R. and I.C.U. for their exceptional care and compassion to both Jerry and his loved ones.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Monday at 9:00 AM from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. John Neumann Parish, 633 Orchard Street Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Jonathan Kuhar, Associate Pastor. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Park in Elmhurst Twp.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s name to the Penn Medicine Liver Transplant Fund.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Sunday between 4:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home. Please visit the funeral home’s website for directions or to leave a condolence.