Thomas R. Timlin II of the Minooka section of Scranton died Tuesday in hospice care after a courageous battle with cancer. His wife of 64 years is the former Janet (Barber) Timlin. Born in Scranton, Tom was the eldest son of the late Thomas R. Timlin and Mary (Gowden) Timlin. He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish and a 1954 graduate of South Catholic High School. After serving honorably in the Pennsylvania National Guard, Tom worked for more than 30 years as a union glazier for several regional glass contractors, including Anthracite Plate Glass, Scranton. A gifted athlete, Tom was drafted by the Cleveland Indians professional baseball team in 1956. He subsequently played outfield for several minor league teams affiliated with the Indians. After suffering a serious ankle injury, Tom continued his professional baseball career with the Elmira Pioneers and the Gainsville G-Men, both minor league affiliates of the Washington Senators. When Tom returned to the area, his love for the game of baseball kept him playing on the local diamonds (most notably at Schautz Stadium, Dunmore and the Minooka AC) for more than 20 years. A ferocious lefty slugger, Tom became well-known among local baseball players and fans as “Thumper.” People who watched Tom play all those years ago still reminisce about how he “hit the farthest ball they had ever seen.” He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and son, and he will be deeply missed by his family. In addition to baseball, Tom enjoyed spending time with his family, bowling and playing golf. In retirement, Tom looked forward to spending his mornings at McDonald’s discussing “old times” and the events of the day with his coffee buddies. Tom lived a long, full and blessed life, and he will be remembered most for his patience and kindness. Although the end of Tom’s journey was marred by illness, his lifelong Catholic faith gave him the strength and courage to meet this challenge with grace and dignity. Also surviving are Tom’s seven children, Maureen Flynn and husband, Robert, Scranton; Sharon Pugliese and husband, Carl, Moosic; Janet Rafalko, Scranton; Thomas R. Timlin III and wife, Leah, Clarks-Summit; Brenda Padden and husband, Patrick, Scranton; Melinda Finnerty and husband, John, Scranton; and Denise Timlin and companion, James Cerep, Scranton; 12 grandchildren, Casey (Flynn) Petroshuk and husband, John, Maura (Flynn) Bidwell and husband, Chad, Brianna Pugliese, Moosic; Samantha Francis and husband, John, Scranton; Thomas R. Timlin IV, Philadelphia; Carl Pugliese, Moosic; Nicole Rafalko, Conshohocken; Daniel Timlin, Hoboken; Haileigh Finnerty, Cecilia Finnerty, Jake Finnerty and Gavin Finnerty, Scranton; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Rose Walsh and husband, Joe, Scranton; three brothers, Gerald Timlin and wife, Judith; James Timlin and wife, Cindy, Scranton; and Dennis Timlin and wife, Zita; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son-in-law, John Rafalko. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the nurses and staff of Allied Services Hospice Center, the medical staff at Geisinger CMC, Dr. Kenneth Sebastianelli, Dr. Namita Sharma, Dr. Christopher A. Peters, the medical staff at Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers, and all the personal care providers who assisted Tom during the past year as he battled his illness. A funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St., Scranton, to be celebrated by the Rev. Francis Pauselli. A viewing for family and friends will be held immediately before the funeral at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Arrangements are being made by Eagen-Hughes Funeral Home, 2908 Birney Ave., Scranton, PA 18505. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom’s name to the Minooka Lions Club, P.O. Box 4071, Scranton, PA 18505, or Allied Services Hospice Center, 511 Morgan Hwy., Scranton, PA 18508

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