Obituary of Sylvester Panatieri

Sylvester Panatieri, 79, of Plains Township, a humble servant of his Lord was welcome to his everlasting life on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

Born on September 26, 1938, in the Keystone section of Plains Township, he was a son of the late Silvio and Helen Kowalski Panatieri. Sylvester was educated in the Plains area and was a graduate of the Plains Memorial High School, class of 1959. His gym teacher made a remark at his graduation that Sylvester never missed a gym class in his time at high school even though he was paralyzed on the left side of his body.

            After graduation, Sylvester continued his education at a trade school in the Johnstown area where he became educated in the trade of screen printing.

            Returning to the Wyoming Valley, Sylvester was employed by the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Center where he worked as an assembly worker for several years. During this time he also worked with his family at the Midway Drive-in, Keystone, where Sylvester made all the popcorn that the drive-in served to its customers.

            Later, Sylvester was employed by Brooks Manufacturing of Old Forge, as a floor boy until the time he became fully disabled.

            Sylvester never let his disability slow him down,  his family always remarked, that he had the best memory of the family, relating to historic family genealogy information and historic family dates.

            He was a member of St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin where he attended service with his family.

Sylvester enjoyed watching sports on the television and rooted for his Phillies, Eagles, and of course, Penn State Nittany Lions.

            He was preceded in death by his parents Sylvio and Helen;  and his brother Robert “Bob” Panatieri.

            Surviving Sylvester is his sister, Barbara Antinovitch, Laflin; brother Alfred, with his wife, Donna, Plains Township; sister-in-law, Betty Panatieri, Tennessee; aunt, Mary "Tickey" Panatieri, Connecticut; nephews Joseph Antinovich and his wife, Virginia, New Jersey; Robert Panatieri Jr., Tennessee; and Thomas Panatieri, Plains Township; great nephew and niece, Jack and Elizabeth Antinovitch, New Jersey; and numerous cousins. 

Mr. Panatieri’s funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday from Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark St., Plains Township.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. in St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin, with the Rev. James J. Walsh, pastor.

Interment is private and will be held at the convenience of the family.

Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. 

The family would like to thank the staff at the Riverstreet Manor Nursing Home for comforting Sylvester over his fourteen-month stay. Thank you for all you have done.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin.

For sending condolences and directions to services, please go to www.yanaitisfuneralhome.com