Obituary of Anthony Joseph Shubzda

Anthony Joseph “Antek” Shubzda, 87, of Jenkins Township, passed peacefully at his private residence in the care of his loving family on Monday, March 6, 2023. Born on April 29,1935, in Plains Township, Tony was the son of the late Anthony and Agnes Kochanoski Shubzda. He grew up in Plains and was a graduate of the Plains Memorial High School class of 1953. Tony joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany with the 29th Field Battalion. After being honorably discharged from his service, Anthony became a cadet for the Pennsylvania State Police. Upon completion of his training, he began a thirty-five-year career of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a State Trooper. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1976. He will be remembered best for operating and leading the instruction of many local police officers at the Northeast Training Center, Forty Fort. The most important moment in his life was on October 31, 1964, when he was able to marry his beloved Helen Marie Poplawski. Together the newlyweds had to follow Anthony’s career around the state and moving several times. The couple raised three loving children: Anthony, Maria, and Allan. Anthony enjoyed going hunting and fishing with his family and friends, but he had a true passion for his garden. Every year, he would grow a beautiful garden in his yard that many people stopped to admire. Sometimes he had a little “helper”, his grandson Matthew. Although his grandson’s “help” probably doubled his workload, Anthony truly cherished these moments. Anthony was a proud member of the Polish American Veterans (PAV). He served on the Board of Governors, and held different terms of office as Treasurer, Secretary, and Commander. For years he did the research and helped to acquire a large parcel of land that the new club building now sits upon. This is for the benefit of future generations of club members who then can appreciate and enjoy social gatherings and remember the sacrifices of those that served our country. He was also a member of the Henry Club, the ITLO Club, along with the retired State Police F.O.P. Anthony is preceded in death by his loving parents; sister Mary Jones, and brother Joseph Shubzda. His is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Helen, Jenkins Twp; son Anthony, Plains Twp.; daughter Maria Coslett and her husband Jason, Shavertown; son Allan and his wife Odette, Utah; grandsons Matthew Coslett; Alden Shubzda; granddaughter Orabelle Shubzda; sister Tina Goskoski, New York; brother Stanley Shubzda, Wilkes-Barre; sister Sophie Pieri, Wilkes-Barre; along with many nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation and Mass of Christian Burial to be held on Monday, March 13, 2023, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Twp. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the beginning of Mass at 10:00 a.m. Mass will be officiated by Rev. John Lambert, pastor. Military honors will follow Mass. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery, Plains Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements have been placed in the care of the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., Plains Twp.