Thomas Joseph Karaban

    Thomas Joseph Karaban, age 66, of Dushore, PA, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at his home.

          Tom was born April 13, 1953 in Brooklyn, NY, a son of the late John T. & Angelina Castiglia Karaban. He graduated from the Sullivan County High School, a member of the class of 1971.

          He began working for the Pennsylvania Department of Highways on December 13, 1973, and retired to take care of his mother, Angelina, on January 13, 2006, after 33 years of service.

          Tom was a very active member of St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus St. John Neumann Council #12406, and a Sir Knight 4^th Degree member of St. John Neumann Assembly #979. 

           He was also a member of the Dushore Fire Company No. 1 and a member of Nelson Armes American Legion Post # 601, Sonestown, PA.  He was a Eucharistic Minister and took communion to the home bound and in nursing homes. An integral part of the community, Tom was known for his warm heart, quick wit and generous soul! There was nothing he couldn’t fix or invent if needed. Tom enjoyed gardening, raising chickens and bee keeping.  Picking home grown blueberries and sharing blueberry pies was a family tradition. He inherited his love of cooking from his father. He had cared for his parents in their later years. Tom was renowned for his culinary ability especially his expertise making Coleslaw, fresh cut French fries and barbequing chickens for the Knights of Columbus. His quiet way and many hours of volunteerism in Sullivan County brought joy and comfort to countless neighbors and friends

Known affectionately as “Uncle Tommy”, he was beloved by all his nieces and nephews.  He cherished spending quality time with them and was very spontaneous in his arrival with plans to spend a day at Knoebels or an outing to dinner and the movies which delighted the children.  He was always available to help them out from working on cars to tinkering with equipment or rigging the sailboat for a day on the lake. No one supported and encouraged their dreams like he did. He was unfailingly generous with his family, giving gifts to the Nieces/Nephews on his own Birthday and regularly dropping off random gifts on their doorsteps.

Tommy was loved so much more than he knew. We miss you dear Brother, Uncle and Friend. Rest in Peace!

Surviving:

Three brothers:

Joseph (Kristine) Karaban                       Highland Mills, NY

John (Deborah) Karaban                         Muncy, PA

Walter (Karen) Karaban                           Telford, PA

Sister:

Mary (Paul) Sekely                                  Black Walnut, PA

Nieces and nephews:

Michael Karaban

Christopher Karaban

Jessica Constable

Patrick Sekely

Cassandra Sekely

Adam Sekely

Adrienne Karaban-Purtell

Brendan Karaban

Chelsea Masteller

J T Karaban

Kaylee Karaban

          A Transferal Service will be held on Saturday morning, August 24, 2019, at 10:30 A.M. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, and followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA with the Rev. Thomas J. Major, his pastor, presiding.  Interment will be in St. Basil’s Cemetery.

          Friends may call on Friday, August 23, 2019, at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. and on Saturday morning from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.

          The family will provide the flowers and ask that memorial contributions be sent to St. Basil’s Storm Damage Fund, PO Box 307, Dushore, PA 18614.

          Following the Interment there will be a time of celebration of his life at St. Basil’s Hall with light refreshments.

                   Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA.

          To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com