Obituaries

Joseph “Butters” Mancuso, a lifelong resident of Old Forge and local bricklaying legend, passed away Friday at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Scranton, after a recent illness. He was 80 years young.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Catherine (Scavo) Mancuso. The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 29th.
Born on December 27, 1942, Joe was the son of the late Joseph and Olive (Jopling) Mancuso. After Old Forge High School, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves prior to his honorable discharge from service.
For six decades, Butters was a hard working and well-respected bricklayer. He was a proud member of the Local #5 B.A.C. (Bricklayer & Allied Craftworker Union) where his worked spanned from the Lackawanna County Stadium to the Scranton High School, where he also served as foreman during construction.
Beyond his mastery as a craftsman was his propensity to give back. He had done countless volunteer jobs throughout the area and his mentorship to younger craftsmen was a source of great pride. He was a pillar of the community, especially in Old Forge Borough, and his dedicated work ethic will long be respected by all who knew him.
The quintessential outdoorsman, if you could name it, he loved doing it. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved boating, and he was always the Mancuso family wine maker. Above anything else came his family, and it’s easy to say that his wife, children and grandchildren/great grandchildren who adored their “papa” were his world.
Along with Cathy, he is survived by loving family: children, Helene Mancuso and Fiancé Richard Santora of Dunmore and Joseph Mancuso and wife Julie of Old Forge; five grandchildren, Fallon an Fiancé Gino,, Nicole and Fiancé Brett, Joey, Nicholas and Alexis; two great grandchildren, Robert and Isabella, with a great grandson, Theo, on his way; siblings, Susan Ann Festa and husband Louis of Old Forge, Paul Mancuso and wife Linda of Thornhurst and Louis Mancuso and Stephanie LaFave of Old Forge; and many nieces and nephews. A brother, Michael Mancuso, also preceded him death.
His family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their tremendous care and compassion throughout Joe’s stay.
A celebration of Joe’s Life is set for Thursday between 4 – 7:00 PM at the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, with a 7:00 PM blessing service to follow.