Obituary of Philip F. Tagliaterra

Philip F. Tagliaterra, 76, of Old Forge, died Wednesday at Moses Taylor Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was married to the former Marlene Radkiewicz. The couple would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on Nov. 17.

Born and raised in Old Forge, son of the late Paul and Catherine Gristina Tagliaterra, he was a 1956 graduate of Old Forge High School, where he was an All-Scholastic Football Player. In 1956, he was chosen to play professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but because of a football injury he was unable to pursue his professional sports career. He coached Miss-E League for several years. He served in the Army for two years. He was a police sergeant for the Old Forge Police Department for 28 years, and was elected mayor of Old Forge for four years.

Philip passed away peacefully surrounded by his devoted wife, Marlene, and his lovely family.

Also surviving are three daughters, Denise Kozin, Philadelphia; Danielle Tagliaterra, Old Forge; and Renee Tagliaterra and fiancé, Pete Sobol, Old Forge; six grandchildren, Nicole, Alexis and Alicia Kozin, Philadelphia; Josh Spindler, Old Forge; and James and Madison Sobol; a brother, Paul and wife, Kathy, Philadelphia; sisters in-law, Tina Tagliaterra and Nancy Dolgash and husband, Greg; nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Santo Tagliaterra.

The funeral will be Monday at 9:30 a.m. from the Louis V. Ciuccio Funeral Home, 145 Moosic Road, Old Forge, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at the Prince of Peace Parish - St. Mary's Church, West Grace Street, Old Forge. Interment, Old Forge Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, or www.cancer.org, or to the Alzheimer Society, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090, or www.alzheimer.org.