Arthur J. “Art” Tommaselli, 73, a resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life on Thursday evening, July 29, 2021, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, following an unexpected heart attack which occurred on Monday at Knoebels Amusement Park, Elysburg.

His loving wife is Rita A. (Hizynski) Tommaselli. Together, Art and Rita celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on December 7th.

Born on April 01, 1948, in New Haven, Connecticut, Art was one of six children born to the late William Tommaselli Sr. and Catherine (Moughan) Tommaselli.

Raised in Duryea, Art was a graduate of Pittston Area High School.

A United States Army Veteran, Art honorably served his country for nearly two years as a medical corpsman during the Vietnam War. During his years of service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the Combat Medical Badge; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Marksmanship Badge; the Sharpshooter Badge; the Vietnam Service Medal; and the National Service Defense Medal. Upon his honorable discharge on October 17, 1971, he had attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class.

Prior to his retirement, Art was employed by Tobyhanna Army Depot, Coolbaugh Township. In his earlier years, he owned and operated Tommaselli’s Appliance Service, Swoyersville.

Art was a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville, and, prior to the consolidation, he was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville.

A man of great character and intelligence, Art treated any debate, no matter how seemingly trivial, as an Olympic sport. He was an incredibly patriotic man, so his preferred topic was politics but he could debate the quality of coffee and Italian food with the same fervor as the sanctity of the freedom of speech. When he wasn’t debating, conversations with him always had a lot of laughter. He was extremely witty and remembered as the life of the party during his younger days. He loved getting together with family and friends for casual games of pitch which he took much too seriously.

Art was proud of his Italian heritage and a phenomenal cook – his stromboli, spaghetti sauce and pepper shots were favorites among family and friends. Before his love of soppressata and provolone picante caught up to him, he was a professional boxer, but that toughness stayed with him until the end. Many will remember him as one of the strongest, toughest guys they knew. Coincidentally, his favorite dog was a Boxer. He had many Boxer dogs who he loved and who loved him. He is preceded in death by all of them, especially his beloved Diesel, and we have no doubt that he is with them now and getting tons of puppy kisses.

In addition to his parents, William Sr. and Catherine Tommaselli, Art was preceded in death by his sister, Catherine Kane; and his brothers, William Tommaselli Jr.; Mark Tommaselli; Eugene Tommaselli; and Thomas Tommaselli.

In addition to his wife, Rita, Art is survived by his children, Kim Meltzer and her husband, Rob, Agoura Hills, California; Mario Tommaselli and his wife, April, Laflin; and Sheryl Buchalski, Evanston, Illinois; his grandchildren, Logan Meltzer, Kenzie Meltzer, Bennett Tommaselli, Greyson Tommaselli, Harrison Tommaselli, and Owen Buchalski; as well as his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for their attentive and compassionate care of Art during his time of need. They would like to also thank the staff of Knoebels Amusement Park for their swift action and kindness to the family while Art awaited medical attention.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Wednesday, August 04, 2021, at 10:30 AM, from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, his Pastor, officiating.

Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Carverton section of Kingston Township, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

Family and Friends are invited to Art’s viewing which will be held on Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 AM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the Tommaselli Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

The Family has kindly requested that flowers be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made in Art’s memory to Freedom Service Dogs of America by mailing your donation to 7193 South Dillon Court, Englewood, CO 80112, or by donating online at www.freedomservicedogs.org/donatefsd.