Thomas J. Zelinske, a loving husband, father, “Pop” and friend, age 81, of Mountaintop passed away peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Allied Services Hospice, Wilkes-Barre. He was surrounded by his family.
Born in Wilkes-Barre on July 7, 1942, he was the last surviving child of the late Joseph and Margaret (Lynch) Zelinske. He graduated from GAR High School in 1960. Shortly after graduation, he joined the PA National Guard, Battery C for 4 years. He later embarked on a career as an electrical quality control inspector at nuclear power plants across the country. Though he enjoyed his travel and nuclear work the job he truly loved most was serving as a crossing guard for Wilkes-Barre School District, post-retirement.
It’s impossible to capture Tom’s effortless charm, charisma, and warmth in a few sentences. He was a magnetic person. He loved entertainment, most of all music, and constantly wanted to share that love with everyone. He had a great voice and loved to sing. His wit was razor sharp and his comedic timing was perfect. He lived for Penn State football and good food.
He was the ultimate people person with a special gift for making you feel important, because to him you were.
He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 38 years, Donna (Mazzochetti) Zelinske; daughters, Jill McCormack, Royersford; and Tara Kachurka and husband Todd, Berwick; son, Mark Zelinske, Pottstown; grandchildren, Kyle and Nina McCormack, Alexandra and Lauren Zelinske, Kaylee and Emalee Kachurka; 3 sisters-in-law, Patricia, Lorraine, and Pamela, whom loved him like a brother; countless nieces and nephews, and a host of other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Margaret “Peggy” Kutney and husband Jerome “Jerry”, brother, Joseph Zelinske, and his wife Elizabeth.
Anyone who knew him could tell you he was the best husband Donna could have asked for, he was an amazing father, and an incredible “Pop”, who wanted nothing more than to share his love and wisdom with his grandchildren. He was their biggest fan and supporter.
Much like his own beloved grandfather, Anthony “Love” Lynch, Tom was an avid collector of quotes. One of his favorites was, “Don’t cry because its over, smile because it happened.”
Family will receive friends Monday March 11, 2024, from 10:00am to 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 721 Monroe Street, Berwick PA 18603. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow with Reverend Willam Barbee officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York 10065. Online messages of comfort may be sent to condolences@HellerFuneralHomeLLC.com