Obituaries

Frederick B. Wills, 84, of East Stroudsburg, died Sunday morning February 25, at home.His journey on earth ended quietly and his soul is now resting in Heaven in the loving arms of Our Lord, which is his reward for living a peaceful and faithful life.He was the husband of his beloved wife of 56 years, Ruth (Saul) Wills, at home.
Born on January 1, 1923 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, he was the son of the late Richard and Mary (MacDonald) Wills.Frederick was raised in Scranton and as he grew, he learned the value of a family, and as a man he dedicated his life to the family he created.He was a resident of Stroudsburg for the past 37 years and was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Scranton and attended St. Matthew’s Catholic in East Stroudsburg.
"Bubs", as most of his friends and family referred to him, was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School and attended Penn State and Alfred Universities.Shortley after High School, he was drafted by the St.Louis Cardinals Baseball Team as a pitcher.Later he was inducted into the All Hyde Park Hall of Fame and among his greastest memories was his "no hit, no run" game.He worked for the Lackawanna, Erie Lackawanna and Conrail railroad sustems as a general foreman for more than forty years.
Fred was always lending a hand to a neighbor, being grandpa to any neighborhood children and of course, sharing his wisdom to his own.He gave all he could, for as long as he could, and asked for nothing in return.He was a gentle man, a great husband and father and he passed away with the knowledge that he , too, was loved very much.
In addition to his lifelong love, Ruthie, he is survived by a son:Frederick Wills and his wife, Karen of Scranton;a daughter Janet Cohen and her husband, Barry of Stroudsburg; three grandchilkdren, who alwyas put a sparkle in his eye;Kathryn Wills and Matthew Wills, both of Scranton and Lauren Cohen of Stroudsburg. Also, four brothers:James Wills, Winds Gap, John Wills, Exton, Harold Wills, Scranton and Gerald Wills, Olyphant;2 sisters:Rosemarie Williams, Wayne, N.J. and Helene Balon, Appalachia, NY;many nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother;Verdun Wills;a sister Mildred Scalpi;a niece Barbara Wills;a nephew;Richard Scalpi;and his loving brother-in-laws George and Gordan Saul.
There will be a viewing on Tuesday, February 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Thomas Funeral Home, 401 North Fifth Street.Stroudsburg.
There will be another viewing on Wednesday February 28 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Durkan-Cuff-Kearney Funeral Home 125 North Main Avenue in West Scranton. The funeral will be on Thursday, March 1, at 9:00 A.M. from the Durkan-Cuff-Kearney Funeral Home 125 North Main Avbenue in West Scranton with mass of the christian burial at 9:30 A.M. in St.Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Jackson Street in West Scranton. Interment will follow in Fairview Memorial Park in Elmhurst.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Monroe County 502 Independence Road East Stroudsburg, PA 18301- or to the
Ronald McDonald House of Scranton 332 Wheeler Avenue Scranton, PA 18510-
For directions or to send an online condolence, visit www.KearneyFuneralHome.com