Jack Seitzinger, 82, of Scranton, died unexpectedly on Saturday at Geisinger CMC. Jack was born on July 31, 1941 to the late William and Anna (Harach) Seitzinger in Frackville, PA. He was married to his wife Geraldine “Geri” (Halaburda). They were looking forward to their sixtieth anniversary on April 11th. After graduating from Frackville High School, Jack briefly attended Bloomsburg University before playing minor league baseball for the Detroit Tigers organization. An outstanding athlete, Jack also played both semi-pro football and semi-pro basketball. Jack was a member of St. Paul’s parish in Scranton.

Jack then began his journalism career at the Shenandoah Evening Herald as a news writer and then moved on to the Pottsville Republican, where he became a sportswriter before moving to the Scrantonian-Tribune. At the Tribune, Jack covered local sports. He eventually became the Sports Editor and had his weekly column, “Seitz on Sports.” Jack was a tireless promoter of both men’s and women’s local athletics. After the closure of the Tribune, Jack became the first Sports Information Director at Marywood College. For his accomplishments as an athlete, Jack was inducted into the Northern Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. For his work as a journalist, Jack was inducted into the Northeastern Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the University of Scranton Wall of Fame. Finally, for his time as a Sports Information Director, Jack was inducted into the Marywood Sports Hall of Fame.

Jack expanded his career in 1990 by working in public relations with the Pennsylvania Democratic Caucus. He was then hired in a similar role by Senator Bob Mellow, with whom he remained a dear friend until his final day.

Upon his retirement, Jack reveled in chasing his grandkids around at their various sporting and other events. He was “Dad” and “Grandpa Seitz” to so many and loved his role as the “Mayor of Richmont Street.” He was a Green Ridge legend!

In addition to his wife Geri, Jack is survived by daughter Maripat Burke and husband Bill, of Scranton, and their children Billy, Jack, Peter, and Maeve; his son John, of Dunmore; daughter Geralyn Insalaco and husband Sandy, of Laflin, and their children Dominica Ferraro and husband Nick, Rachel, Santo, Julia and fiancé Tyler Marchese, and Stephen; son Mark and wife Kara (McDonough), of Scranton, and daughters Maggie, Maeve, and Louise Mariotti; and son Matthew and wife Krista (Hrobuchak), of Old Forge, and their sons Matthew and Zane. Jack is also survived by brother-in-law Walter Shappell, of Philadelphia, and sister-in-law Sandy Elsavage (Halaburda), of Frackville, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his sister Maryann Shappell, brother-in-law Paul Elsavage, and his twin infant grandsons James and Alexander Seitzinger; and his father-in-law, Bernard Halaburda; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Snyder Halaburda.

The family of Jack is appreciative of the efforts of Dr. Erin McFadden, the Scranton Police Department, Pennsylvania American Ambulance, and the entire emergency staff at Geisinger CMC, Fr. AJ Rizzo, SJ and Fr. David Cappelloni. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Green Ridge Little League, c/o Fidelity Bank, 201 South Blakely Street, Box 150, Dunmore, PA 18512, or at any bank branch.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, January 25 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM at Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc. at 318 Drinker St., Dunmore. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 26 at 9:30AM in Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish, 208 Smith St., Dunmore. Internment will follow at Dunmore Cemetery.

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