Anthony Michael Laskus

Anthony Michael Laskus (1/17/1932 – 8/16/2022)

Anthony left us peacefully on August 16, 2022 to once again embrace his loving wife Margaret, whom he’d been married to for forty years.  We all called him Tony.

Born in 1932 in New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of immigrants, the late Joseph and Dora Mitskus Laskus.  Tony was the “baby” and last surviving sibling out of ten. Preceding him in leaving this world were sisters Marguerite Laskus, Ann McCauley, Helen Pelesky, Valeria Deriscavage, and brothers Edvardas, Joseph, Albert, Francis, and Edward.  

Tony enlisted in the Air Force in 1952, and retired from military service in 1974.  Before he retired, he did what he dreamed of doing, seeing the world – Korea, Paris, Philippines (where he took his young family), and then finally Laos during the Vietnam war.  Tony retired from military service shortly after returning from Southeast Asia. 

Tony continued to work as a civilian into his late 70’s, primarily as a commercial insurance adjuster, in the state LCB system, and his two favorite jobs, working for longtime friend Joe DeMarkis, at the Wilderness Trekker and Rivers Outdoor Adventures, where he learned and fell in love with fly fishing.  He also spoke fondly of his very first real paying job during his high school years, washing dishes and food preparation at the Necho Allen hotel in Pottsville.

Tony married Margaret Bumbak, from St. Clair, in 1962.  He used to say he “circled the world twice to marry the girl next door”.  In 1965 they celebrated the birth of their son Joseph in Maine.  They settled in a home in Orwigsburg in 1978 to be closer to both of their immediate families.

When Tony officially retired from civilian life, he and Margaret took trips across the US, Canada and Central America, and enjoyed cruises and the railway together.  When Margaret left his side in this world in 2002, Tony stayed active in his local golfing league, went on golfing trips to Myrtle Beach, and fly-fishing trips to Alaska and Montana, as well as numerous trips on his local Lehigh and Schuylkill Rivers.  Tony also had a great friend in Harold Johnson, a golfing buddy who would visit him regularly in NC from Pennsylvania.   

Tony enjoyed a cup of tea with jelly toast and the newspaper, which he’d read cover to cover.  He was social and loved to laugh.  He was often the life of the party, or perhaps brought the party to life, when he arrived with his famous boilo (always warmed when served) in tow.  He had a great relationship with his numerous nieces and nephews for two reasons, many who always came a day early for the family reunions to “party” the night before with one of their favorite uncle and aunt, and both Tony and Margaret loved all those marrying into the extended family by accepting them unconditionally.

A back injury several years ago necessitated a move by Tony from Orwigsburg to North Carolina to live with his son Joseph, his wife Michele and his grandsons.  During these years he gave driving lessons to his grandson Markus, gave fly fishing lessons to his grandson Clayton, (while giving golfing lessons to both), and taught his daughter in law Michele how to make the foods of his and his wife’s heritage like kugelis, nut roll, Halupki and Pierogi.  Tony became an integral part of his son’s household.  He lived in their home until his death.  Tony leaves behind numerous family and friends who will miss him dearly and cherish their memories of him.

A celebration of Tony’s life will be held at Hamilton-Breiner funeral home in Orwigsburg, PA on Friday, September 30^th at 10:00 am.  A graveside internment will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 1:00 pm where Tony will be laid to rest with his wife.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the Yadkin County EMT services, as well to all the nurses, specialists, and Dr. Harris at the Emergency Room at Novant Health, in Clemmons, NC.