Eugene M. Turko

Eugene M. Turko, 82, of Olyphant, Pennsylvania, died peacefully Saturday, January 7, 2017, at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton.  He was the husband of Joan A. (Yeck) Turko, celebrating 58 years of marriage.  Born in Peckville, he was a son of the late John W. and Tillie (Sanko) Turko.  He was a Pennsylvania Licensed Funeral Director for the last 60 years.  He started his career with the family business of the John W. Turko Funeral Home, Olyphant, regretfully transitioning to the Chipak Funeral Homes, Scranton and Dunmore, where he served as their supervisor from 1980 to 2008, before retiring.
He retired from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, Dunmore Store.  Previously, he was a salesman for Sears and Roebuck Company.  He was a life long member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, and instrumental in all church programs, starting as a young altar boy.  He graduated from Olyphant High School, class of 1952, Temple University, and Eckels College of Mortuary Science, Philadelphia.
Gene served in the Army, Vietnam Era, serving in Panama achieving the rank of PFC.  He was an over 60 year member of the American Legion Post #327, Olyphant, where he enjoyed his weekly sign-in.
He was a member and past president of the Queen City Hose Company 8 for over 50 years, receiving his gold badge.  Gene served with the Lackawanna County Fire Police over 25 years and was chief of the Olyphant Fire Police, and serving as a course captain for the Steamtown Marathon for 21 years.  He served on the Olyphant Borough Police Commission for many years.  Gene served with the Olyphant Ambulance Association for over 20 years.
He conceptualized and was instrumental in working to develop a memorial to honor the Lackawanna County coal miners, and as a result a bronze memorial stands on the levee at the Olyphant Bridge.
An avid golfer and sports fan, Gene enjoyed Mid-Valley Spartan athletics, especially working the first down chains under the Friday night lights.  He had an opportunity to attend the Masters in 2012, and had a hole-in-one in 1963.  He was an officer of the St. Cyril's Athletic Baseball Association.
Gene was a faithful, devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.  He loved when his grandchildren came, and he loved when they went.  He always had a kind and welcoming word for his many friends and acquaintances.  Gene was a pillar in the Olyphant community, where lived all of his life.  He loved to walk to Condella Park with his beagle, "Herby."
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff and physicians at Lackawanna Medical Group, Ferdinand J. Manahan, M.D., DaVita Dialysis of Scranton and Eynon, Interim Home Health, Colts Transportation Service (Kevin), Allied Services Rehabilitation Center, Geisinger Community Medical Center, UF Health Shands Hospital, Dr. Thomas Huber, Chief of Vascular Surgery; and his loving caretakers, daughter, Maria Turko Slachtish, R.N.; grandson, David; and son-in-law, David Slachtish.
Surviving in addition to his wife Joan, are, daughters, Joann M. wife of Gary Kneal, of Gainesville, Florida; Maria A., wife of David Slachtish, of Olyphant; Teressa A. wife of Harold Schisler, of Palmerton; son, Andrew J. and fiancee, Angela Fornaro, of North Reddington Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Richard, Abigail, David, and Eva (peanuts); sisters, Marion Turko, of Texas; brother, John, of Olyphant; nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his son, Eugene M. Turko; niece, Nicole; sisters, Mildred Soroka and Johanna Dutka.
Divine Liturgy will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., in SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, 135 Riber Street, Olyphant, PA.  Family and friends may call on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Queen City Hose Company 8, 443 Willow Avenue, Olyphant, and on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 10:00-11:00 a.m., in the church.  Interment is with Military Honors, at the Parish Cemetery in Peckville.  Firefighters are to meet Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. at the Hose Company for transfer to the church, followed by Parastas and Rosary at the church at 7:30 p.m.
Arrangements are by Harold C. Schisler, Funeral Director; John L. Chipak, Funeral Director; and John W. Fetsock, Funeral Director.
Contributions may be made in Eugene's memory to the charity of one's choice, the SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church Memorial Fund, or any children's hospital.