William Emanuel, 73, of Jenkins Township, passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township. Born in Scranton on October 2, 1944, he was the son of the late William and Theresa Baldoni Emanuel.
He was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School and was a self-employed master carpenter owning Emanuel Construction. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston. William built many creative works of beauty. He was especially known for the beautiful hand crafted wooden crosses he made and generously gifted to local parishes, nursing homes, and especially those who had lost loved ones. He asked the Holy Spirit to bestow a blessing on every person who received one. Joe Amity of Amity Lumber Co. donated all the lumber that was used with loving care to make each cross special. One of William’s greatest achievements was building the Padre Pio Adoration Chapel that was dedicated at Our Lady of the Abingtons Church in Dalton Pa. He facilitated the first NEPA monument for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks that was placed on the grounds of Our Lady of the Abingtons Church.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Mary Jo Corcoran Emanuel; daughter, Michele Matusavige and her husband Gordon, Centermoreland; son, Atty. William J. Emanuel, Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren, Sarah Miner, Gordon Matusavige, Jr., Leela Emanuel and Taara Emanuel; brothers Ronald Emanuel and his wife Gail, Scranton and Gerald Emanuel, Scranton; sisters Marlene Smith and her husband Eric, Michelena Bezek and Mariaelena Emanuel, all of Factoryville; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were sisters Mona Conway, Theresa Webber; brother Melvin Emanuel; and granddaughter Miranda Miner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, February 19, 2018 at 10:30am in St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William Street, Pittston. The family will receive friends and relatives in the church from 9am until the time of mass. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Care and Concern Ministries, 35 William Street, Pittston. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William St Street, Pittston.