FRANK @ 99
THE CENTENNIAL YEAR BEGINS!
Frank Sinatra would have turned 99 today. The next 365 days will be a countdown to The Chairman of the Board's 100th birthday. More than any singer Sinatra has been identified as the popular music interpreter of 20th century music, except of course for that dreadful rendition of Mrs. Robinson.
Ring a ding, ding, let the swinging begin!
JACK WALLACE DIES
The late Jack Wallace. (Photo: Pittston Dispatch).
One of the premier newspaper reporters of the Wilkes Barre Area Jack Wallace died the other day at the age of 83. Wallace and his shock of white hair was a constant at the Luzerne County Courthouse. In college when I was on an internship with King's College, I had the opportunity to see him sit at the press table for few trials in Luzerne County. To me when I worked in broadcasting and public relations he was always warm and gracious. On Face book there were warm memories and funny stories of the people he came in contact with in his career. Here's his obituary:WILKES-BARRE — John "Jack" Wallace, 83, of South Wilkes-Barre, and formerly of the East End section of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 11, 2014, at Erwin Hospice, St. Luke's Villa, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 12, 1931, he was a son of the late James A. and Helen (Joyce) Wallace.
Jack attended Holy Saviour Elementary school and graduated from St. Mary's High School, class of 1949.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Following his discharge from the Army, he attended nine years of night school at King's College and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics in 1963.
Jack was employed for 28 years by the Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company and 19 years with the Citizens' Voice. He served 30 years as a news reporter at the Luzerne County Court House. This period included many major court cases.
He was associated with the Wachovia Arena, currently the Mohegan Sun Arena, for five years, and voluntarily worked at the Farmers Market on Public Square.
Jack served numerous years as a lector, usher and acolyte at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in South Wilkes-Barre. He was also active in many parish projects and activities. He served 28 years as President and seven years as Vice-President of the Wilkes-Barre Local 120, The Newspaper Guild, and 11 years as Treasurer of the Middle Atlantic District Council. He attended 25 international conventions of The Newspaper Guild.
He was an avid sports fan and played in various sports as a young man. He was a die hard Notre Dame and Los Angeles Dodgers fan. Jack served 16 years as an umpire in St. Therese Little League, now known as, the South Wilkes-Barre Little League.
He was a member of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Greater Wilkes-Barre, The Donegal Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. One of his greatest loves was traveling, including 38 trips to Ireland, eight to England, Scotland and Wales, nine to Hawaii, three to Canada, two to Puerto Rico, and once each to France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Mexico.
Jack was married to the love of his life in 1957, the former Margaret Kroll, who passed away in 1969.