Obituaries

John Chobey, age 70, a lifelong resident of Scranton, passed away Friday at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, West Philadelphia, after an illness. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Michele (Churilla) Chobey. The couple were married on John’s birthday, May 4, 1991.
Born on May 4, 1952, and son of the late Andrew, Sr. and Bernadetta (Scopelliti) Chobey, John was a graduate of the former Scranton Technical High School. John was also a longtime employee at Lockheed Martin prior to his illness.
A die-hard football fanatic, he was a lifelong and loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He and Michele never passed up a trip to a good casino and his basement will never be the same for the countless family and friends who’ve played in John’s weekly poker games. He loved his scratch-off lotto tickets and an extreme movie buff, he watched and re-watched his favorites a million times.
He was a talented handyman who nearly mastered carpentry while building everything from a basement bar for his son to desks for his granddaughters. John had an amazing sense of humor, adored all dogs including his children’s and his neighbors’ and was a loving family man who was a wonderful “Papa” to his adored granddaughters. Now resting in peace, he’ll never be forgotten by all who love him.
He is also survived by his loving family, including children Brandy Updike and husband Todd of Old Forge, Mark Dziki and wife Jillian of Blakely and Jesse Chobey of Scranton; two granddaughters, Savannah and Shelby Updike; a brother, Andrew Chobey, Jr. of Scranton; brothers-in-law, George Churilla and wife Suze of Scranton and Michael Churilla and wife Kathy of Clifford Twp.; and many nieces and nephews.
His family would like to acknowledge and thank the amazing staff of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, especially the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Dr. Judd Flesch, for their outgoing care, compassion and kindness shown to both John and his family throughout the years.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 1608 Oram Street in West Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Richard Fox, Pastor. Family and friends may pay their respects at the church on Thursdays from 10:00 AM until Mass.
Arrangements are under the care of the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton.