Eugene J. Bitchko

Eugene J. "Gene" Bitchko, Dalton, died Thursday afternoon at Mercy Hospital. He and his wife, the former Edith Shell, were married in 1948.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Walter and Anna Uscowskas Bitchko. Before his retirement, he was the manager for Canny Trucking, where he was a member of Scranton Teamsters Local 229. Through the years, he was employed with A&P as a butcher, Whipples Lumber in Clarks Summit for 20 years, part-time police officer in Clarks Summit for 18 years, where he was elected constable, and with Ovens Motor Freight. As a young man, he served in the 109th National Guard. He was also a member of the Church of St. Gregory.

He had a special place in his heart for his dog, Heidi. He loved fishing, hunting, woodworking, getting together with his friends to play cards and plowing snow for his faithful customers.

The family would like to express a thank you to Dr. Stephen Jaditz, Mercy Health Care, the wonderful nurses at the Hospice Unit in Mercy Hospital and everyone that offered their prayers and kindness.

He was a very special man who was always trying to help someone.

Also surviving are a son, Eugene W. and wife, Julie; a daughter, Linda Gable and husband, Leonard; two grandsons, James Kilonsky and wife, Lena; and Jonathan Gable and wife, Megan; a granddaughter, Nicole Gable; a great-grandson, Dakota Kilonsky; and a goddaughter, Patsy Tyluki.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, to be celebrated by Monsignor John Louis. Interment will be in Cathedral Cemetery.

Friends may call Sunday, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.