Thomas F. Dorko

  • Thomas F. Dorko

Thomas F. Dorko

Thomas F. Dorko, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at his home. He had just celebrated his 87th birthday with relatives. Born December 1, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Joseph and Helen Dombroski Dorko.


Thomas attended Marymount grade School and was a 1954 graduate of G.A.R. Memorial High School, Wilkes-Barre. He worked several jobs before being inducted into the U.S. Army in 1960. He was stationed at the 39th parralel, the Demilitarized Zone in Korea for 2 years.


Upon returning to the United States, he was discharged from the military in California and settled in Los Angeles where he joined several of his high school friends who had moved there from Wilkes-Barre. He achieved a position at Hughes Aircraft as a machinist and working up to the position Shop Steward.


All of his life, Tom was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and shooting, really enjoying competition on small caliber targets. Riding motorcycles through the California deserts shooting at jackrabbits was also a favorite pastime. 


After retirement, he and his wife settled in Henderson, NV, and after some time he moved back to Wilkes-Barre in 1999. Tom lived with and attended to his elderly mother, Helen, until she passed away at 104 years old.


He also enjoyed socializing with his siblings, especially Helene and Bob Roccograndi i Kingston. Tom will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Dorko.


He is survived by a step daughter and step grandchildren in California; and siblings, Carl of Harrisburg, PA, William of Montgomery Village, MD, Helene Roccograndi of Kingston, and Kathlene of Harveys Lake, PA; brother and sisters-in-laws; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11:00am at our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend John S. Terry, Pastor, will be Celebrant. Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Maternity Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call Monday morning at the church from 10:00am until time of Mass.

By Joseph Jendrzejewski August 1, 2025
Arthur Searfoss, of Buck Township, PA, passed away at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, shortly after greeting his newest great grandchild on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Born October 13, 1930, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Andrew and Mamie Glasson Searfoss. Arthur was a 1948 graduate of Laurel Run High School and was an Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was employed at Central Slipper Shoe Company, Wilkes-Barre, for 20 years, and worked as a trans filler at Liquid Carbonic, Laurel Run, for 22 years. Arthur was a member of Laurel Run Primitive Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret in 2011; daughter Margaret Dianne Searfoss brothers, James, William, Richard, and Jerry Searfoss; sisters, Elizabeth Kohlis, Bessie Zendzon, and Mamie Dominick. Surviving is his daughters, Donna Marie Olson of Parsons, PA, Carrie Jo Searfoss of Buchanan, GA, and Robin An McGrady of Rockmart, GA, grandchildren, Heather Sibert of Greenville, NC, Brian Sibert of Connecticut, Michael McGrady of Mountain Top, PA, Lindsey Garrity of Shavertown, PA, Jamie Olson of Port Charlotte, FL, Billy Olson of Wyoming, PA, April Olson of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Brooke Stepanski of Parsons, PA; 7 Great Grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 6th, at 10:00am at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Memorial Shrine Cemetery, Carverton. Friends may call Wednesday morning from 9:00am until time of services.
By Joseph Jendrzejewski August 1, 2025
David Joseph Potorski I was born July 29, 1960, in Millstone (Somerset County) New Jersey, to Joseph Francis Potorski and Eleanor Leszczynski (Letinski) Potorski, and was raised as Catholic. On July 30, 2025, David joined his parents and one of his sons in Heaven. David graduated from Steinert High School in N.J. in1978. He was employed by Florence N.J. Road Department, then as a contractor, lastly to his parents as a caregiver. A key Scripture verse that represents David’s life is from 1 Samuel 16:7. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Also in 1 Samuel 13:14, the name David is referred to as, “A man after God’s own heart.” David is remained by his brother Joel John Potorski and wife Diane. And his sister Carol-Ann Marie Potorski, his two sons, David Joseph Potorski II who passed in 2010, and Joseph Daniel Potorski, his granddaughters, Ariana and Zofia Potorski, his nieces and spouses, Rebecca and husband Justin Wright, Noelle Potorski, Melanie M. and husband A.J. Pillette. As David met his Maker, he experienced 2 Peter 3:8: “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” As David entered his Eternal Home, the Lord greeted him with “Welcome my Beloved!” Private funeral services were held by the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre. A Celebration of David's life will be held by family on the West Coast.
By Joseph Jendrzejewski July 18, 2025
Sunrise July 18, 1990 – Sunset July 16, 2025 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Amanda Lynn Longfoot, who left this world unexpectedly at home on July 16, 2025, just two days before her 35th birthday. Born on July 18, 1990, Amanda was a graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School. She was strong, wild, and carried a fierce will to change—for herself and for those around her. Amanda was never afraid to fight for a better life, even in the face of adversity. Her fire was undeniable, her spirit unbreakable. Amanda was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Marcia Zamber, whose love and memory remained close to her heart always and her grandmother, Debra Longfoot. She is survived by her loving father, Keith Longfoot and his wife Lori Longfoot. She also leaves behind her brother Scott Zamber, her grandparents, Jean and Rick Neely, and Paul Longfoot along with his partner, Melissa Wishneski; step brothers, Kyle and Christopher Rushton. Amanda’s love extended to many—a wide circle of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who became family. Each one carries a piece of her fierce love, her bold energy, and her deep desire for better relationships. Amanda’s legacy is one of strength, struggle, and resilience. She lived life on her terms, and her story is one of both pain and purpose. Her journey touched more lives than she probably ever realized. A celebration of Amanda’s life will be held Sunday July 20th, 2025 from 3-5pm at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. In lieu of flowers, the family is kindly accepting donations to help with funeral and memorial expenses which can be provided directly to the funeral home. Until then, may we honor her memory by loving harder, forgiving more freely, and never giving up on ourselves or each other. Rest easy, Amanda. You were deeply loved. You mattered. And you will never be forgotten.