My Dad
24-Dec-1937 to 17-May-2007

As of Friday night, the Wyoming Area football team plays at Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston.

The former Wyoming Area Stadium was dedicated to Sobeski prior to the opening WA football game. Sobeski, who died earlier this year, was a longtime Wyoming Area School Board member and fan and supporter of Warrior sports.

An outstanding high school athlete himself, Sobeski’s love of sports drove him to spearhead many projects which benefited Wyoming Area athletes. He was particularly proud of improvements at the football stadium during his tenure on the board.

Sobeski’s family members were on hand Friday for the dedication.

Born on December 24, 1937, in Pittston, he was a son of the late Anthony J. Sobeski Sr. and Anna (Rakauskas) Sobeski.

He was a 1956 graduate of Pittston High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army.

He was presently employed as director of marketing for Wilkes-Barre Imaging Center and as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Glasko Smith-Kline, after an accomplished 40-year career in the pharmaceutical sales industry.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, West Pittston, also serving as an usher and past president of the Holy Name Society.

He had a tireless spirit and unselfish heart for community service, as evidenced by his lifelong service to his community. Jake had been a member of the Wyoming Area School Board for 30 years; having served as past president, vice president and secretary.

He was recently inducted into the Wyoming Area Football Alumni Ring of Pride. He served as Region 7 Director for Pennsylvania School Boards Association; the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 Board; West Side Vo-Tech Board past president; and the Board of Directors of the Luzerne County Transportation Authority, also serving as past president.

He was the past chairman of the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Committee and parade chairman. He was a member of the Pittston/West Pittston 4th of July fireworks committee; a member of the Moose Club, West Pittston. Jake also served as president of the Greater Pittston Touch Football Officials; vice president of the greater Pittston Umpires Association; president of the Pittston Lions Club; and served as zone manager and deputy district governor for the Lions.

He was also a member of the West Pittston Recreation Board and the Pittston Knights of Columbus. Jake was an avid golfer and was a member at Emanon Country Club.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Sobeski.

He was a loving husband, supportive father, and doting grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Nancy Petroziello; children, Carl Sobeski, of Clarks Summit; Atty. Cheryl Sobeski-Reedy and her husband, John Reedy III, of Exeter; and David Sobeski, of Seattle, Wash.; grandson, Ryan Reedy; sister, Jean Orlowski and her husband Felix, of Mattituck, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Betty Davenport, of Pittston; brother-in-law, Carl Petroziello and his wife Irene, of Williamsville, N.Y.; numerous nieces and nephews.

Wyoming Area School Board member Toni Valenti remembers being with Anthony “Jake” Sobeski at a convention held near a track ringed with lights to illuminate the area for walkers.

“Jake couldn’t wait to come back and suggest putting lights around our football field so the people in the community could walk early in the morning and late at night. That’s how Jake was. All the work he ever did was for the taxpayers, the school and the community,” she said.

Sobeski, a 30-year veteran of the Wyoming Area School Board, died Thursday night at age 69. But Valenti and other fellow board members said the things he did will touch the community for many years to come.

“Jake was active in everything,” said board member Jerry Wall. “He loved to be on the go and he was always willing to help. All you had to do was mention something you needed done and the next thing you knew, Jake was taking care of it,” Wall said.

One of those things was the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival, which opens today.

“Jake was always in charge of the parade,” said Mayor Bill Goldsworthy. “It’s going to be very difficult going up there on Saturday without him there to tell us where to stand.”

Goldsworthy said his opening remarks at the festival will address the passing of the man he called a friend for 35 years.

“Jake was the one who got me involved in politics,” Goldsworthy said, recalling how he began by working the polls for Sobeski.

“He was a Democrat and I’m a Republican, but it didn’t matter to Jake. He taught me you listen to everyone no matter what and you treat everyone fairly. He mentored a lot of people into politics and I think that’s why we have so many good people in politics in this area.”

John LaNunziata is one of those mentored by Sobeski. They served together on the school board for 12 years and were golf buddies, attending tournaments and golf trips together.

“His greatest joy in life was doing favors for people,” LaNunziata said. “He never turned anyone down.”

Most of all, his friends agree Sobeski will be remembered for his impact on the school district. “He loved being on the school board,” LaNunziata said. “He was proud of Wyoming Area and proud that he had a hand in making it one of the best districts in Pennsylvania. He was a champion of education.”

Wyoming Area’s Superintendent Ray Bernardi said: “Jake was the consummate school director and a strong child advocate. When I think of Jake, I think of his involvement with sports and banquets and school activities. He went to every game he could and always supported the kids and the parents in every way possible. His 30 years of wisdom—that’s going to be a huge void on the board and a huge loss to this district.”

Bernardi said district flags will fly at half staff. School will remain open and the school board meeting Tuesday night will be held as scheduled.

QUICK INFO: Anthony “Jake” Sobeski was first elected to the Wyoming Area School Board in 1975. He lost a re-election bid in 1989, only to win again in 1991. He has served ever since, and received both the Republican and Democratic nominations on Tuesday.

Longtime school director Anthony “Jake” Sobeski, 69, died Thursday night at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton.

The West Pittston resident was described by friends as a civic-minded man who got involved in everything he could. His wife, Nancy, believes he got that from his father.

For 30 years, Sobeski “generally ran everything” in the school district, friend and fellow board member John LaNunziata said. He always pushed for safety, technology and public access to district facilities, LaNunziata said.

Sobeski served on the school board for so long that those who knew him had difficulty pinpointing his greatest accomplishment. But LaNunziata said he was particularly proud of the walking lights he had installed at the stadium. They were installed so members of the community could use the track, he said.

“He is the person most responsible for the school district as it is today,” LaNunziata said.

According to board newcomers John Marianacci and President John Bolin, Sobeski always took new board members under his wing. He taught them to always do the right thing, and he never hesitated to answer their questions.

“If you had a question on anything he was the go-to man,” Marianacci said.

Bolin and Marianacci, who have only been on the board for a year and a half, are amazed by Sobeski’s service to the board. So was the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, who sent representatives from Harrisburg to present him with a plaque last year.

“I don’t think the public really appreciates this about any school board member, but it’s complete volunteer service. There’s no pay at all,” said Tom Gentzel, PSBA executive director.

School board members can routinely spend 40 hours per month attending meetings and school functions, Gentzel said. Few are willing to devote that kind of time, he said.

Gentzel will remember Sobeski for his engaging smile and his tireless dedication to Wyoming Area.

While he is most known as a school director, Sobeski’s volunteer commitments extended far beyond that board.

At the time of his death, Sobeski served on the boards at the Luzerne County Transportation Authority, the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 and the West Side Vocational-Technical School Joint Operating Committee. He was also involved with his church, Immaculate Conception in West Pittston, and the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival, his wife said.

“I gave him a lot of freedom, so he could do everything,” Nancy Sobeski said.

Sobeski was also busy with work, holding down two jobs as a marketing manager for Wilkes-Barre Imaging Center and as a pharmaceutical sales representative, friend and fellow board member Jerry Wall said.