Obituary of Edward John Dolinish Sr.

Edward John Dolinish Sr., of Old Forge, died Sunday at Regional Hospital of Scranton.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Alice Potas.

Born in Old Forge, he was the son of the late John and Julia Ambrutis Dolinish.  Ed was a graduate of Pittston Area High School and shortly after graduation, he was inducted into the Army during WWII and served with the 1674^th Engineer Utilities Detachment.  After the war, he graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s in pharmacy.  From 1956 until the early 1990’s Ed owned and operated Dolinish Drugs, Old Forge and then worked for Rite Aid until his retirement. He was a parishioner of St. Nicholas of Myra Church, Old Forge, the GCU District 5, Lodge 17, a former member of the Scranton Byzantine Choir and the Lackawanna County Druggist Bowling league.  Ed enjoyed, traveling, fishing, the casino, doing puzzles, playing pitch and pinnacle, but most importantly spending time with his grandchildren. Ed was famous for his homemade smoked kielbesi during Christmas and Easter.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Anne Marie Neary and husband, Chuck, Burke, VA; Alice”Gina” Keil, and husband, Ed, Hanover Twp.; Ilona, at home; Ed Jr. and wife, Tanya, Old Forge and John Paul and wife, Colleen, Olney, MD; seven grandchildren, Ed III, Julia, Nicole, Demetrius and Macrina Dolinish; Ricky and Alison Neary; two sisters; Millie Dunda, Moscow and Mary Close and husband, Courtney, Dunmore; nieces, nephews, cousins.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Irene Juba and Aldona Wright.

The Dolinish Family would like to extend a special thank you to Ed’s caregivers the past few months: Michelle, Tracy, Bob, Toni, and Jill and the staff of 6 east at Regional Hospital.

Family and friends are invited to attend Ed’s funeral on Thursday at 9:15 AM from the Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St. Taylor followed by Divine Liturgy at 10 AM in St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, 140 Church St. Old Forge, to be celebrated by the Rev. Eduard Shestak, pastor.  Interment with military honors will follow in St. Michael’s Byzantine Cemetery, Pittston.  Friends may call Wednesday from 5-8 PM.  Parastas services will be at 7:30 PM.  If so desired memorial contributions may be made to the church.