Obituaries

The Rev. Donald (Pastor Don) J. Morgantini, age 78, of Mountain Top, passed away Sunday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes Barre, after an illness, Surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by the love of his life and best friend, his wife Rita (Bressler) Morgantini. Together for sixty one blessed years, the couple married on January 22, 1965.
Born in Kingston on June 24, 1945, and son of the late Sirio and Carlina (Berti) Morgantini, Donald was a graduate of the former West Pittston High School before attending Mansfield University. He developed his tireless work ethic at a young age while working for his family’s business, Morgantini’s Market, a pillar of the West Pittston community for over five decades.
A member of the Local No. 38 Industrial Insulators Union, Don took an early retirement after a personal calling to Jesus led him to Toccoa Falls Bible College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia, where he both earned his Bachelors Degree and subsequent ordination into the ministry.
He first served at Toccoa Falls Chapel under the tutelage of mentor and dear friend, Rev. Les Morgan. As a Pastor, he first began as a servant of the Gainesville Alliance Church in Gainesville, Georgia, before taking over pastoral duties at Twin Valley Alliance Church in Tower City.
Displaying true committment to those he served, even after his retirement he returned to Pastor the Country Alliance Church in Clarks Summit.
Throughout the course of his ministry, Don was able to impact the lives of countless by his positive influence, loving guidance and genuinely kind spirit. Prior to illness and after his pastoral duties were complete, he still continued to selflessly serve the community on multiple levels.
Don developed his love for golf during his childhood days spent as a caddy at Fox Hill, in addition to both hunting and fishing. He treasured sharing these experiences and enjoyed teaching them to his children and grand children. =Above all else came his family, and those memories made during holidays and vacations were definitely some of his fondest.
Don’s life’s work was complete on Sunday evening, but not without first leaving quite a legacy behind in the hands of all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving family including his children, Ellen Yanik and husband Stanley of West Pittston, John Morgantini of Chester Springs and Holly Rider of West Pittston; five adored grandchildren, Stanley Yanik and wife Alexandra, Evan Rider, Elyssa Fry and husband Sloan, Cecilia “Ceci” Morgantini and John David Morgantini; a great grandson, Grant Henry Yanik; a brother, Dean Morgantini and wife Donna of Exton; and nieces and nephews. A brother, Francis Morgantini, also preceded him in death.
His family would like to acknowledge and thank Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, including Dr. Vernon Mascarenhas and registered nurses Kim Hart and Jillian Vierciaski, along with the entire staff of Associated Family Home Care, for the collective kindness, care and compassion shown to both Don and his family throughout his illness.
A celebration of Don’s life is scheduled for October 21st at 11:00 AM at the Moosic Alliance Community Church, 608 Rocky Glen Road in Avoca, to be conducted by Rev. Erik Ferguson, Pastor, and Rev. Les Morgan
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to either the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Arrangements are under the care of the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge.