Obituaries

Allen (Al) “The Skitch” Scazafabo Sr., a lifelong Old Forge resident and certainly an icon, passed away on Ash Wednesday following an illness. He was 72 years old.

He has left us to rejoin his mother, father, brother, and sister, and his friends from the Class of 1970, the Moosic Road Gang and friends far and wide that he cared for so deeply who left before him.

This Old Forge favorite, “Skitch” was born on Jan. 21, 1952, and was the son of the late Thomas and Romaine (Tyler) Scazafabo. A football standout and 1970 graduate of Old Forge High School, he then attended Keystone College, ultimately returning to the school years later to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in 2004.

Throughout his life he had worked for PNC Bank, Topps Chewing Gum Co. (and loved to bring home baseball cards for his son “hot off the press”) and Sunshine Market. It wasn’t until later in life he found his most enjoyable and rewarding job, driving the school bus for Reliable Transportation. He drove area kids to schools and the Blue Devils football team to games. The kids loved him just as much as he loved them and he certainly left an impact on a generation of students through his genuine care for their well being.

He lit up a room, made everyone laugh, loved his town, loved his family, loved his friends and loved to help and root for the underdog. He was Rocky Balboa, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Joe Namath, and Clark Griswald all in one package.

He frequently and quietly supported any youth that wore the Blue and Gold and especially those that found themselves in trouble or suffering from hard times. He gave to kids that needed equipment, gear or just some encouragement. He loved to see area kids make it in the world. He cared for and was proud of every youth he coached, umpired, or just met from the neighborhood and relished in all their accomplishments. He also felt deeply sad if he heard anything did not go well for them. He wanted every kid he met to succeed in life. He coached for the Old Forge Little League, Old Forge Babe Ruth Teener League, the Old Forge Blue Devils Freshman squad that went undefeated and was a proud member of the coaching staff of the 1988 Suburban Conference Champions. He was a PIAA baseball umpire. He was very happy to boast his membership in the Old Forge Gridiron Club and attend the annual clambake and bocce tournament and will be missed at the weekly tailgate. He frequently played Santa Claus for area causes for free.

He was a member of the Peter Williamson Lodge 323 F&AM, the Old Forge Gridiron Club, a V.F.W. Post 4954 social member, and Prince of Peace Parish. He enjoyed long motorcycle rides with his wife, N.Y. Yankees baseball, Giants football, and hunting. He was, above all else, known for being fun loving, well intended, big hearted, football watching, tripe and soffrito eating life of the party who just wanted to bring smiles to those around him.

He leaves countless loved ones behind, but none more special than his beloved wife, Dorothy “Dottie” (Belotti) Scazafabo. High school sweethearts, the couple married on Nov. 29, 1974, and hadn’t left each other’s side since; his adored son of whom he was so proud, Atty. Allen “Butch” Scazafabo Jr., and wife Atty. Nicole Casciola, who he considered the daughter he never had, of Fairfield, N.J.; his legacy and three grandchildren, Vita Ann, Rosa Apollonia and Allen Joseph Scazafabo III, who loved their “Papa Bo;” his brother, Theodore Scazafabo and wife Lucille of Old Forge; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He was also preceded in death by siblings, Linda Johnson and Thomas Scazafabo.

Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Friday at 9:15 a.m. from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge, with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Assumption, Prince of Peace Parish, to be celebrated by Rev. August Ricciardi, pastor. Burial will follow at Milwaukee Cemetery. Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m., to be followed by Masonic services by Peter Williamson Lodge 323, with whom Skitch previously served as worshipful master.

Memorial contributions may be made in Skitch’s name to any supportive cause of Old Forge athletics or, due to his love for his pups “Buddy” and “Minnie,” to the donor’s favorite local pet charity.