John Paltanavich

John ‘Rocky’ Paltanavich, 69, of Simpson Street in Wilkes-Barre died Tuesday with his son at his side in Boca Raton, Florida.

Born June 4, 1941 in Wilkes-Barre he was a son of the late John and Stella Karnoski Paltanavich.

John attended Meyers High school and was a life-long resident of Wilkes-Barre. He was a graduate of Penn-State Wilkes-Barre Campus and Misericordia University.

A veteran of the Vietnam Era, Rocky served with the Air Force and was a member of the American Legion.

John worked for the Electric Division of UGI Corporation for more than thirty years before retiring in 2005.

Rocky was always the life of the party and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A brother Richard and nephew Craig preceded him in death.

He is survived by his son, David Paltanavich of Boca Raton, Florida; sisters, Joan Bowling of Fostoria, Ohio and Carol Wilson of Erial, New Jersey; nieces, Rosemarie Ametrano, Jessica Paltanavich and Jacklyn Davis; nephews, Mark Ametrano and Jason Paltanavich; and great nieces and nephews.

Celebration of John’s Life will be held Tuesday at 8:30 AM from McLaughlin's, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre with Funeral Mass at 9:30 AM in the Church of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Interment will be in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Hanover Township.

Visitation will be held at McLaughlin's on Monday from 5 to 8 PM

Permanent messages and memories can be shared with John’s family at www.celebratehislife.com