Anthony "Tony" R. Zelinski, Jr., 74, of West Pittston, peacefully passed away Friday, October 12, 2018 at Riverstreet Manor, Wilkes Barre after enduring a long, courageous battle with cancer. Born in Pittston, Tony was the son of the late Anthony and Margaret (Minzak) Zelinski.
He was a 1961 graduate of Dupont High School, entering the U.S. Army Reserves, serving six years in the Signal Corps. Tony would eventually earn his associates degree at the former Wilkes-Barre School of Business. Pursuing a career in the Federal Government, Tony worked at the Internal Revenue Service in Scranton, and at the Tobyhanna Army Depot before marrying his sweetheart, "Peggy", and moving to McClean, Virginia in 1966.
After working several years for the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA), Tony and Peggy returned to Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) to raise their children and to be closer to their beloved family.
Tony worked for 8 years at the Luzerne County Accessors Office as a statistician, before returning to the Tobyhanna Army Depot. His profound dedication and respect for our service men and women in uniform was recognized throughout his 33 years of service by management, military officials, and his peers alike. Tony traveled around the world, representing the Depot at various military instillations and forward operating bases, proudly helping to preserve the facility's crucial role in serving our military and as the largest employer in NEPA. In 2007 as the Director of Logistics Modernization Program, Tony retired from the Depot after receiving numerous awards and accolades during his career.
In his personal life, Tony enjoyed traveling, socializing with family and friends, and most definitely food. In all of these things that he did, he did alongside his cherished Peggy, as he would not have wanted it any other way. One of his true delights in life were his Granddaughters, whom he loved so dearly. "Papa" would just light up at the mention of his darling Bella or Charlotte. Tony also had a great love of animals and of nature, even helping to find a caring home for rescued kittens.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, James and Margaret Mulcahy, Pittston, and his sister Joan Stead of Tennessee.
He will be deeply missed by Margaret "Peggy" M. (Mulcahy) Zelinski, his loving wife of 52 years; Son, Robert Zelinski and wife Diane, Harding; daughters: Laura Harris and husband Andrew, Haymarket Virginia; and Lisa McCabe and husband Shannon, Laflin. Granddaughters: Isabella Zelinski and Charlotte Harris; Numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Tony was also a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston.
Tony’s family would like to thank, Dr. David Greenwald and his staff at Medical Oncology Associates, Dr. Kevin Musto and his staff, Dr. Christopher Peters at Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers as well as the staff at Riverstreet Manor, the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, and Celtic Home Health Services for their steadfast support and kindness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 19, 2018 in St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William St. Pittston at 10:00am. The family will receive friends and relatives in the church Friday morning from 9:30am until time of mass. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, and to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, Dallas, Pennsylvania. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC 251 William Street, Pittston.