Skook News Obituaries: August 7th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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William was born in Mahanoy City, PA on July 25, 1935, a son of the late Helen (Smarr) and William Brown.
He graduated from Rahway HS Class of 1954.
Billy belonged to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Rahway NJ and St Teresa of Calcutta Parish Mahanoy City.
He served in the U.S. Army.
Billy worked as a toll Collector for the New Jersey Turnpike.
He loved his Yankees and watching old movies.
Billy is survived by a daughter, Nicole, wife of John DiMaggio, of Dillsburg.
He is also survived by 1 Grandson Calvin and his fiancé Megan.
A Religious Service will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, August 11th at Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. in Mahanoy City, PA with Father Kevin Gallagher officiating.
Friends and family may call from 8 AM to 10 AM on Tuesday, August 11th at Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. in Mahanoy City, PA.
Interment will follow at St. Canicus Cemetery Mahanoy City.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, view the tribute video and send sympathy cards.
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“Sonny” was born and grew up in Newark, New Jersey. In his early years he worked at his father’s gas station. Learning “mechanics” came easy for him. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. In his own words, “Being a mechanic seemed to be a good life”. That life led to a job at Friedman’s Express where he worked on the loading docks and later on to Sidella Steel where he specialized in fixing overhead cranes. He had other “side jobs” as well. Some of which guided him to make new choices. One of those choices was to relocate from New Jersey to PA. “Sonny” and Antoinette found their 21-acre farm in New Ringgold in 1974 and with the help from an uncle, a brother, a nephew, and a few friends, they built their home in 12 days. Throughout the years he also built his own business, Special “T” Pallet Company. Thousands of miles on the road in his Mercedes truck to “Love Pallet Company in Hillside, New Jersey, and back home again… “making money, spending money” ...certainly how he lived and enjoyed his life. With so many acres and space came so much “stuff”. An avid junk collector, there was no shortage of nuts, bolts, tools, car parts, worn out appliances, spare tires, etc. There were even empty Motrin bottles saved to store things in. He found a use for just about everything. Duct tape was probably his favorite method for getting the job done as his front door of 52 years is proof.
“Sonny” very much-loved music. He was a singer and songwriter that was happy to perform for anyone who would listen. His favorite times, however, were singing Johnny Cash songs and playing the guitar with his nephew Tony. So many holidays were spent with that “Trio”. The two got to meet the legendary “Mr. Cash” while performing at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, New Jersey. That meeting led to a special invite from Cash himself which led to a trip to Tennessee, with the dream of his music making it to Mr. Cash’s ears… “Sonny” made it to Cash’s front door, handed the housekeeper his cassette tapes, and was on his way… Although that dream wasn't fulfilled on this side of Heaven, I'm sure someday the “Trio” will sing together once again.
“Sonny” also enjoyed shooting pool. That is as long as he was able to “call the shots”. He and his brother Jack were quite the partners on the Citizens Pool team in Tamaqua.
Lastly, in remembrance of “Sonny,” there was one more thing that defined who he was. He thoroughly enjoyed the thoroughbreds. Countless trips to the track and many bags of tickets in the attic, again, never throwing anything away, including the tickets he “lost by a nose”. For those who knew him best know the numbers 2 with the 1, 3, 5…...4 with the 2, 7…. 5 with the 2,4…. will always bring a smile. There were many races lost over the years, however the past few months, in true racing style, “Sonny” rounded the final turn in this life tired, weary, and worn, and down the stretch he came and the fighter he is and always was, crossed the finish line to finally receive his very own “Triple Crown” … The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all waiting to meet him in the greatest winner’s circle. No greater “win” for sure! 2 Timothy 4:7-8
George “Sonny” Triano is survived by his wife Antoinette Triano, sons George and Daniel Triano and daughter Karen Hadesty. Six grandchildren: Jennifer, Amanda, Michael, Amber, Nicholas, and Paige. Seven great grandchildren: Jackson, Benjamin, Alexander, Karter, Eagan, Nora and Edie. Sister Theresa, brother Jack, nieces Alisa, Andrea, MaryAnn, and Jeanette. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Frances (Romanowich) Triano and two nephews Tony and Russell.
Our dad had a lot of “good qualities.” So thankful for who he was, we would not be who we are without him. And though we will never meet again on this side of Heaven, we will meet him on that beautiful shore!
As we say goodbye to “Sonny,” one thing is for sure…he will never be forgotten. He made an impact wherever he went and with most assurance anyone will have a story of how he did just that.
Love you Dad!
Arrangements are entrusted to Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born in Minersville, he was the son of the late Edward A. Brady and Katherine Irma (Kelly) Brady. One of four sons in a five-year span, he grew up in this coal region during some of the toughest times this country has known.
Mr. Brady attended Minersville schools and was a graduate of Minersville High School, Class of 1945. Upon graduation he attended Kutztown State Teachers College receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics/Science. He then received a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Bucknell University and later his Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from Lehigh University. He endured the disciplined military life of 53 months as a commissioned naval officer serving active duty during the Korean War as the Administrative Assistant to the Commanding Officer of the Recruit Training Command and as Senior Administrative Assistant to the Commanding Officer of the USS Macon, a heavy cruiser, and 12 years of reserves rising to a retired rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Upon his return to Schuylkill County, he began teaching math and coaching basketball at Pottsville High School for nine years. He then was hired as High School Principal at Minersville High. In 1974 he was promoted to Superintendent of Schools retiring in 2013. At that time, he had the distinction of being the longest serving (39 years) Superintendent in Pennsylvania. His love for education and his community led him to giving the last 11 years of his career to the taxpayers, accepting no salary.
Mr. Brady was a member of Holy Family Parish [St. Vincent DePaul Church], Minersville. He was a former member of the Rotary Club and he served on countless educational boards and panels throughout his educational tenure. He was an avid golfer. In recent years he thoroughly enjoyed a Friday lunch get-together with Jim, Rudy, Cal, Dan and Craig, and weekly visits from Dave and many other friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Daniel (2002); Robert Edward (2017); Francis (2022); and niece Cary Dion (2021).
He is survived by his nephews and nieces and their families of Annapolis, MD: Michael Brady, Patricia Brady, Regina Vasan, Elizabeth Wasielewski, Frank Brady, Jr., Kathleen McMillan, Edward Brady
. Mr. Brady is also survived by his loyal “office” family, Lisa Paul, Nancy Frantz, Mary K. Rinaldo, Gail Bedford and Gloria Capik. To honor this icon of education relatives and friends may call at the Minersville Area High School Auditorium, 40 High School Lane, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Monday, August 10 and the Holy Family Parish Church, 538 Sunbury Street, from 9:00 am until 10:30 am. There will be a short tribute during the calling hours at 7:00 pm on Monday evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery,
Pottsville. Remembrances to Mr. Brady’s memory in the form of contributions may be made to the Scholarship Foundation he created in 2002 for Minersville Area High School graduates continuing their education. Donation cards will be available during the calling hours. To mail your contribution the address is Brady Scholarship Foundation, C/O Mrs. Lisa A. Paul, Administrator, 4 Queen Street, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lisa, Nancy, Mary K., Gail and Gloria extend deep gratitude to the nurses, aides, custodians and all staff at Providence Place for their kindness and loving care.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Mikki was born in Pottsville on September 17, 1971, a daughter of the late Francis and Ruth Ann (Lawson) Jarzinko.
She attended the Shenandoah Valley High School, and embarked on a career as a home health aide, last working for Comfort Keepers. Mikki enjoyed crosswords, puzzles and sunbathing.
In addition to her parents, Mikki was preceded in death by two brothers, Frankie Jarzinko and Thomas Michael Ryan, III.Mikki is survived by her son, Justin Frantz and his fiancee, Katie Warg of Berwick, along with two grandsons, Cooper and Colton.
She is also survived by four sisters, Peggy, wife of Jim Hysock of Shenandoah; Jackie Tym of Shenandoah; Patty Chatkiewicz of Florida and Missy Lombardo of Lost Creek. A brother, Bobby Ryan and his wife Paula of Shenandoah Heights, also survive along with nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening, August 12th, 2026, from 5-7 PM at the Walukiewicz Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah.
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Dr. Richard H. Maurer, a physicist whose work helped spacecraft survive the radiation of deep space, passed on June 6, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida, after living with Parkinson's disease. He was 84.
He was born April 27, 1942, in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, to Samuel and Marion (née Hornsby) Maurer. He attended Long Island University on scholarship and graduated as valedictorian in 1964, then earned his Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970 under Raymond Willey. After postdoctoral work in cosmic ray physics at the Bartol Research Foundation (Delaware County, Pennsylvania) and seven years at AMP, Inc., where he learned accelerated environmental testing, he joined the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in 1981. He remained there for more than four decades as a member of the Principal Professional Staff.
At APL he was the radiation physicist on unmanned missions: he modeled the radiation environment a spacecraft would meet, set the requirements its hardware had to survive, and qualified the electronics against them. The type of critical work that is invisible when it succeeds.
He believed a broad physics background and a willingness to take on unfamiliar problems mattered more than specialization, and he said plainly that on a team of a hundred people, the goal of the team outranks any one person's ego. Colleagues and younger scientists found him generous with what he knew.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian H. Maurer. He is survived by his sons, Jonathan Maurer and his wife, Katie, of Lewes, Delaware, and their son, Nathan; Dr. Andrew P. Maurer and his wife, Dr. Sara Burke, of Tucson, Arizona, and their children, Miles and Esme; and his stepdaughter, Sandra Wildes and her husband, David, of Verona, Wisconsin, and their children, Alex (Caroline), Connor, Christopher, and Ethan; and by his great-grandchildren, Kaiden and Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the University of Pittsburgh's Richard Maurer Scholarship Fund, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or the Parkinson's Foundation.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home, 116 South Liberty Street, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by luncheon.
Dr. Richard H. Maurer, a physicist whose work helped spacecraft survive the radiation of deep space, passed on June 6, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida, after living with Parkinson's disease. He was 84.
He was born April 27, 1942, in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, to Samuel and Marion (née Hornsby) Maurer. He attended Long Island University on scholarship and graduated as valedictorian in 1964, then earned his Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970 under Raymond Willey. After postdoctoral work in cosmic ray physics at the Bartol Research Foundation (Delaware County, Pennsylvania) and seven years at AMP, Inc., where he learned accelerated environmental testing, he joined the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in 1981. He remained there for more than four decades as a member of the Principal Professional Staff.
At APL he was the radiation physicist on unmanned missions: he modeled the radiation environment a spacecraft would meet, set the requirements its hardware had to survive, and qualified the electronics against them. The type of critical work that is invisible when it succeeds.
He believed a broad physics background and a willingness to take on unfamiliar problems mattered more than specialization, and he said plainly that on a team of a hundred people, the goal of the team outranks any one person's ego. Colleagues and younger scientists found him generous with what he knew.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian H. Maurer. He is survived by his sons, Jonathan Maurer and his wife, Katie, of Lewes, Delaware, and their son, Nathan; Dr. Andrew P. Maurer and his wife, Dr. Sara Burke, of Tucson, Arizona, and their children, Miles and Esme; and his stepdaughter, Sandra Wildes and her husband, David, of Verona, Wisconsin, and their children, Alex (Caroline), Connor, Christopher, and Ethan; and by his great-grandchildren, Kaiden and Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the University of Pittsburgh's Richard Maurer Scholarship Fund, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or the Parkinson's Foundation.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home, 116 South Liberty Street, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by luncheon.
Obituaries from the past 7 Days
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
