On Friday afternoon, October 16, 2020, Francis J. Norkunas, age 83, beloved son, brother, uncle, God Father, and friend, a resident of Wilkes-Barre, entered into eternal rest at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

Born on March 08, 1937, in Wilkes-Barre, Francis was one of two children born to the late Frank P. Norkunas and Estelle G. Visco Norkunas.

Raised in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre, Francis was a graduate of G.A.R. Memorial High School, Class of 1954. Following high school, he went on to further his education at the former Wilkes-Barre Business College.

Prior to his retirement, Francis was employed for over 40 years by the Pennsylvania Gas and Water Company, later UGI Penn Natural Gas Company. He was a manager for many years at its Kingston office, and later was an instructor for the customer service representatives at the Empire Street office.

A man of great faith, Francis was a lifelong member of the former Holy Trinity (Lithuanian) Church, Wilkes-Barre, and most recently attended Saint Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre.

Throughout his life, Francis had a passion for music.  A talented drummer, he was also a music teacher and recording artist. He was a drummer for, and the last surviving member of, Kryger Brothers Orchestra, and was also a guest drummer with the Frank Wojnarowski Orchestra, the Connecticut Twins, and other local Polka bands. He was the owner of the former radio station, WBDJ Studio 96, and was also a guest DJ on various local radio stations. He also enjoyed many trips to New York City where he would visit the countless music stores on 48^th street.

In addition to his passion for music, Francis was a talented comic strip artist, photographer, and an avid collector of coins, stamps, and memorabilia. He also had a passion for sports, especially football, basketball, hockey, and baseball, and he was a diehard fan of the New York Giants and the Duke Blue Devils. He also was a statistician for many local basketball teams over the years.

An avid fisherman, Francis especially loved fishing with his nephews, Bob and Joe. He enjoyed fishing at many locations in Canada, at Lake Oneida in New York, and locally at Lake Silkworth, Harvey’s Lake, and Moon Lake, just to name a few.

Francis is survived by his loving sister, Carol A. Stavish and her husband, Robert Sr., Swoyersville; his niece, Susan Stavish-O’Boyle and her husband, John O’Boyle, Forty Fort; his nephews, Robert Stavish Jr., Scranton; and Joseph Stavish and his wife, Cathy, Lansdowne; his great-niece, Elena Stavish; his great-nephews, Michael Stavish and his fiancée, Grace McNeil; Jack Stavish; John Stavish; and Edward Stavish; and his longtime companion, Diane Dobroski, Duryea.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Monday, October 26, 2020, at 10:00 AM in Saint Nicholas Church, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend Joseph D. Verespy, Pastor, will be the celebrant.

In keeping with Federal, State, and Diocesan guidelines, those attending the funeral Mass are required to wear a facial covering and observe social distancing.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow the funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bear Creek.

The viewing will be private for Francis’ immediate family and close friends.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

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

Francis, we leave you with these words from your beloved Kryger Brothers Orchestra: “Hop-siup, oj dana, this is Kryger’s Orchestra, Hop-siup, oj dana, Wesoło zawsze gra Hu-ha!”

As your Mom would always say before you traveled, and now, one last time for your final journey, “Idź Z Bogiem!” (Go with God!) Rest in heaven with those you loved so very much on Earth.