Jerome Thomas (Tom) O'Callaghan Jr., 69, of Scranton, passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, surrounded by his loving family at Mountain View Care and Rehabilitaion Center, after a long fought battle with kidney disease. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Marla Richione O'Callaghan, and they were the loves of each other's lives. He lived for her, his four children and his eight grandchildren.
Born on Nov. 23, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Jerome Sr. and Ellamarie DeLay O'Callaghan, Tom was raised in Maple Glen, Pa., and graduated from Upper Dublin High School in 1971. At 19, he joined the armed services as a specialist 4 combat engineer and served in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Oahu, Hawaii, until 1975.
After serving his country, he went on to explore the world, before attending Penn State University and finally settling in Scranton, Pa., where he became employed by the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier, a career that lasted more than 25 years.
Tom retired in 2014 to spend his days at home with his wife and beloved dog, Molly. Always cherishing time with his grandchildren, he loved picking them up from school, having weekend sleepovers and taking them to the driving range ;— he was the best "Poppy" they could ever ask for.
Tom was a member of the American Legion Post 568, where he served as a member and adjutant, and formerly of the Southside Bachelor's Club. He was an outstanding golfer and avid sportsman who loved fishing on family beach trips, playing softball and bowling perfect scores on his local bowling league. On Sundays, you would find him at a local bar cheering for his favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. He had a love of competition, and anyone who knew him wanted to be his teammate. He also loved music and playing his guitar, and on nice days, enjoyed watching the horses at the race track or taking a trip to Atlantic City with his wife, Marla. Everyone who knew him admired him for his love of life and big personality. He was known as a "Gentle Giant."
He is survived by his wife, Marla; one son and three daughters, Paul J. Calvert Jr. and fianc;ée, Nanette Ayers, of Newton Ransom; Tara Fuller and husband, Larry Sr., of Scranton; Maria Hadley and husband, Jack, of Waverly; and Loren Schab and husband, Stephen, of Taylor; eight grandchildren, Mia, Alivia and Felicia Calvert, Emma and Larry Fuller Jr., and Jack, Patrick and Benjamin Hadley; a sister and three brothers, Sally Shaeffer and husband, Charles; John O'Callaghan; William O'Callaghan and wife, Louise; and Dan O'Callaghan and wife, Grace; his brother-in-law, Marco M. Richione III and wife, Teri; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jerome Sr. and Ellamarie O'Callaghan, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Marco M. and Grace Richione Jr.; and niece, Shawn O'Callaghan.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the excellent care provided to Tom by his physicians, Dr. Mark Lyons, Dr. Ferdinand Manahan and Dr. Timothy Farrell, and to all the attentive and kind staff at Mountain View Rehab, Geisinger CMC, DaVita Dialysis and Hospice of the Sacred Heart. We cannot thank you all enough for the compassion and care that was given to him over the last nine months.
Funeral arrangements are in care of Neil Regan Funeral Home, 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton, PA 18505. A private ceremony will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to DaVita Dialysis, 920 S. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18505.