Anthony Pala (1924 - 2017)

It is with great sadness that we announce that Anthony "Tony" Pala, 92, of Hershey, PA, passed away Monday, February 13, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Anthony was born May 21, 1924, in Thompson, PA, to Davide and Pasqua Pala, recent immigrants from Italy, and raised in Hershey, PA, the only son of six children.

After graduating from Hershey High School in 1942, Tony served with valor in World War II in CO F 135th Infantry Regiment 24th Inf. Div. He fought in the African Middle Eastern Conflict and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, 2 Purple Hearts, and European Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Stars. He was wounded twice in Italy.

Upon returning home, Tony married his sweetheart Ruth Ann Souder on November 22, 1945. He entered the Air Force Reserve and during the Korean War, served as Airman First Class as an air conditioning mechanic in West Palm Beach. Following the Korean War, Tony returned to Hershey and entered the US Civil Service as an air conditioning mechanic at Olmsted Air Force Base in Middletown, PA. He later moved to Newburgh, New York, working at Stewart Air Force Base, and to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, at Otis Air Force Base. He ultimately retired from service after 27 years remaining in Cape Cod becoming a plumbing and heating Technician with Wright Oil until he retired.

Tony was an active member of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the VFW. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and grandchildren. He loved a great Italian meal, a good yard sale, and he loved to travel – he visited 49 states and numerous countries.

In 2009, he returned to Hershey after his wife passed away and married Jane Yanoscsik on his birthday in 2011. They loved to travel and just loved being together. He was one of a kind and one of the best!!

Anthony was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ruth Ann, and his daughters, Barbara and Janice, as well as his sisters, Matilda and Mary.

He is survived by his children, David James Pala (Betty), Kathleen Joan Croker (Brian), Quintina Jane Huestis (Dave), and Anthony James Pala Jr. (Kathy); as well as his sisters Emily Summy, Dora Borzilleri, and Rosie Thierwechter.

Tony is also survived by 11 grandchildren - Jennifer, Christine, Andrea, David, Michael, Stephen, Brian, Cheryl, James, Katie Marie, and Sean. He also had 13 great grandchildren!

He is survived by his wife Jane, her children Angela Hilf (George), Annette Ettinger (Mark), and Stephen Yanoscsik (Cindy), as well as her grandchildren, Brian, Bill, Stewart, Andrew, Kyle, Jake; and 5 great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 11:00 AM in St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, 359 West Areba Avenue, Hershey, with The Rev. Fr. Alfred P. Sceski as celebrant. Interment with military honors will be in the Hershey Cemetery. Rosary will be recited on Friday, February 17, 2017, at 5:30 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown. Family and friends will be received for a viewing in the funeral home Friday from 6 to 8 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to have memorial contributions made to the American Heart/Stroke Association , Capital Region, 1019 Mumma Road, Wormelysburg, PA 17043.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.

Source: http://obits.pennlive.com/obituaries/pennlive/obituary.aspx?n=anthony-j-pala&pid=184142444&fhid=22851