Michael P. Kashuba of the Tripp Park section of Scranton died on October 3rd at Geisinger CMC hospital following an illness. His wife of 62 years is the former Geraldine Matsko. Born on April 4, 1942, the son of Michael J. (Mickey) and Agnes Kashuba, Michael was a vigorous man who lived life to the fullest, giving generously of his time, talent, and boundless energy to the people and causes that mattered to him. A member of the Central High School class of 1960, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Scranton, where he served in the ROTC. He began his teaching career in the Scranton School District. After attending the University of Pennsylvania on a graduate fellowship, he taught at SUNY Oswego for several years in the 1970s. In 1976, he returned to Scranton and taught in the Abington Heights School District, where he was a reading specialist until retirement.
He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Scranton, where he served as an altar boy, then later as a religious instructor and an usher, and volunteered at picnics and other church events. He and his wife made the St. Ann’s Novena every year. Michael served on the Tripp Park Neighborhood Association and as Chairman of the annual picnic, raising funds to build and maintain the community center. He helped organize the annual Halloween party and played Santa at the annual Christmas party. A lifelong hunter and fisherman, he supported many conservation organizations. Trout fishing was a passion, and he was a founding member and director of the Lackawanna Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited. He enjoyed teaching fly tying and sharing fishing tips, and he was the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Jack Beck Award for Outstanding Youth Outreach. Michael also served on the board of the Lackawanna River Conservation Association. He worked tirelessly with these organizations to maintain the health and habitat of the Lackawanna River and its tributaries.
Michael was never happier than when he was out exploring the world. In his youth, he enjoyed excursions deep into the Quebec wilderness with his father, brother, and family friends, camping and fishing, later taking his own son. He maintained a connection with the First Nations people and flew several times into the area with his lifelong friend and pilot, Bobby Ancherani. As an adult, he and his wife took their young family to Bar Harbor Maine; to the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, Canada; to the Adirondak Mountains, and, later, on yearly trips to Chincoteague, Virginia.
He made several extensive trips out west, taking his father and, later, his wife, and then, his grandson. He and his wife enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, through the Panama Canal, and to Mexico to see the Mayan ruins. He realized a life-long dream when he became co-owner of a salmon camp on the world-class Matapedia River on the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec, Canada. He made regular steelhead fishing trips to Pulaski, NY. In recent years, he enjoyed fishing trips to Belize.
A lifelong Yankee fan, he remembered taking the train into New York City with his parents, where he watched some of the all-time Yankee greats. In 1999, he took his son and grandson, Mike and Matt, to game four of the World Series, where the Yankees swept the Atlanta Braves to clinch the Series – another storied chapter in Yankee history. He and his wife were season ticket holders for both the RailRiders and the local Penguins.
Michael touched many lives, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. In addition to his wife Geraldine, Michael is survived by daughter Cheryl; son Michael and wife Dellyn; daughter Mary Beth and husband Shawn Seabrook; grandson Matthew, all of Scranton; three step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren; brother William and sister Helen, both of Factoryville; brother-in-law Robert Matsko, Taylor; cousins; nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.
His family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Geisinger CMC for their compassion and excellent care through his final days.
Donations can be made to St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Scranton, or to the Lackawanna Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited. A Private Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church. Private interment will be in the parish cemetery, Minooka section of Scranton.
