Barry F. Baseski

Barry F. Baseski, 86, of Wyoming, went home to his Lord and Savior peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Barry shared a remarkable and devoted marriage of 66 years with his beloved wife, the former Theresa Hlavac, whose love and companionship remained the foundation of his life.

Born in Wilkes-Barre on September 14, 1939, he was the son of the late Walter and Wanda (Harzinski) Baseski.

A proud patriot, Barry honorably served his country in the United States Navy. During his four years of service, he was deployed primarily throughout Europe aboard the USS Intrepid and played an instrumental role during the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade, a period of great historical significance and national importance.

He was a 1957 graduate of Swoyerville High School. Barry dedicated more than six decades of his life to his profession as a member of Operating Engineers Local 542. Known for his strong work ethic and mechanical abilities, he was a true jack-of-all-trades who could tackle virtually any project. Even after retirement, he continued to lend his talents by assisting with maintenance work for his family business, Thomas’ Family Markets.

A devout Catholic, Barry was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville, and a lifelong member of the American Legion in Swoyersville; Barry was deeply rooted in his community and values. While he enjoyed many interests throughout his life, nothing brought him greater happiness than spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose greatest pride was the family he helped build.

Barry cherished the outdoors and could often be found tending his garden, hunting, fishing, or searching the woods for mushrooms. One of his favorite places was the cabin he built in Wyalusing, known as “River Gang 7,” where he spent countless hours creating memories with family and friends. He was also a diehard Penn State fan who rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on the Nittany Lions. When he wasn’t outdoors or watching a game, he enjoyed the challenge of his daily crossword puzzles.

Those who knew Barry will remember him as a kind, caring, and generous man who would gladly give someone the shirt off his back. His quiet strength, unwavering dedication to his family, and willingness to help others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. After any interaction with Barry, we would so often hear “They don’t make ’em like him anymore!”

In addition to his wife, Theresa, he is survived by his five children: Barry Baseski (Melanie), of Connecticut; Debra Gaylord (Tom), of Luzerne; Dr. Theresa Baseski (Francine), of Forty Fort; Thomas Baseski (Amy) of Dallas; and Pamela Evans (Jack) of Exeter.

He is also survived by his 14 cherished grandchildren, Amber, Autumn, Jason, Jeffrey, Jacob, Joshua, Autumn, Hannah, Emily, Julia, Logan, Thomas, Christopher, and Matthew; his 6 beloved great-grandchildren, Arianna, Addison, Brayden, Bryce, Amelia, and Zoey; his brother, Lance Baseski (Marianne) of Wyoming; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter, Noel.

The family extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. William Hottenstein, Dr. Mark Schiowitz, and Dr. James Martino for the exceptional care, compassion, and kindness they provided to Barry throughout his illness.

Additionally, Theresa and her children would like to acknowledge with sincere gratitude Barry’s favorite doctor and advocate, his daughter, Dr. Theresa Baseski, whose loving care, guidance, and unwavering devotion enriched his life for many years. Barry was proud of his daughter and forever grateful for the compassion and support she provided as both a physician and a loving daughter.

In accordance with his wishes, funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 2 Hospital Street, Carbondale, as well as the Wroblewski Funeral Home, 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

To offer an online condolence to the family, please visit the funeral home’s website or Facebook page.

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