Thomas Ratchford

Thomas Ratchford Obituary

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Age - 89

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October 8, 2023

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Jessup, PA

Thomas W. Ratchford, 89, of Jessup died Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Elan Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center, Scranton. He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Margaret A. "Peggy" Costello. Born in Jermyn, he was the son of the late Thomas and Josephine Johnson Ratchford. He was educated in Jermyn schools. Prior to his retirement, he was a long-time employee of the Trane Co. He then went on to work for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. Tom was a member of the Carbino Club and loved playing in the Carbino Club Golf League. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their school functions and sporting events. Tom's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the 4th floor nurses and the staff at Elan Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center for all their kind and compassionate care. Surviving are a son, Thomas Ratchford and wife Teri, North Carolina; daughters Judy Walsh and husband Joseph, Jessup; and Leah Alco and husband Edward, Blakely; grandchildren Anna Ratchford; Alyssa Allen; Arden Noto; Ryan Walsh and fiancee, Sabrina Lowell; Megan Bideganeta and husband, Joe; Abigail and Emily Walsh; E. J. and Aidan Alco; great-grandchildren Joseph, Mila, and Saylor Bideganeta; James Kochmer and Jack Walsh; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Demora, and a brother Frederick Ratchford. The funeral will be conducted on Tuesday at 10:30 a. m. from the Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St. , Jessup, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a. m. at Queen of Angels Parish in St. Michael's Church, First Avenue, Jessup. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may pay their respects Tuesday morning from 9:00-10:30 a. m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington D. C. 20090-6011, or to Elan Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center 1101 Vine St. , Scranton, PA 18510.

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