Michael Panzitta

Michael Panzitta, age 102, of Exeter, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

Born September 28, 1920, in San Cologero, Reggio Calabria, Italy, he was the eldest son of the late Salvatore Panzitta and Maria Concetta Monteleone Panzitta. 

Mr. Panzitta was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Anna Gentile Panzitta and his beloved daughter Elaine Panzitta, his brothers Attilio Panzitta (Mountain Top) and Saverio Panzitta who was killed in combat in the Korean War in 1951, and his sister Grace Malagara (Wilkes-Barre).

 Mr. Panzitta is survived by his loving daughters, Susan Panzitta of Washington, DC and Carla Panzitta of Summit, NJ, his adoring grandchildren, Evan and Melina Santoro, both of Manhattan, NY, and many nieces and nephews and their children.

 Mr. Panzitta immigrated to the U.S. in 1948 with his mother, brothers and sister to join their father who worked in the anthracite coal mines in the Wyoming Valley area. A student of accounting, fine arts and classic studies, Mr. Panzitta received his college degree from Galileo Galiliei in Vibo Valentia, Italy. 

In the U.S., Mr. Panzitta worked for the First National Bank of Pittston for his entire career, where he established many wonderful relationships in the community and enjoyed long friendships with colleagues and clients. He was honored to be the bank's client relations representative for the non-English-speaking Italian community. As a paralegal, Mr. Panzitta also coordinated with the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia to assist the local Italian community with property and citizenship matters. Mr. Panzitta's life centered around family celebrations and traditional holiday gatherings. He loved his children and grandchildren deeply and was proud of all their accomplishments. He shared his love and humor generously with grandchildren, nieces and nephews and looked forward to their visits. He enjoyed his kind neighbors and watching their families grow. He led an extraordinary but simple life and was a mentor to many.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the caring nurses, aides and support staff at at Highland Manor, and to the compassionate nursing staff at Allied Meade Street Hospice for their kind and extraordinary care. The family is also grateful for the decades of dedicated care that Mr. Panzitta's doctors, Dr. Joseph Radzwilka and Dr. John Ellis provided to him. 

A private funeral was held for Mr. Panzitta with arrangements entrusted to Gubbiotti Funeral Home, LLC, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter.

 Contributions in memory of Mr. Panzitta may be made to charities of choice.

To send the family an expression of sympathy or an online condolence, please visit www.gubbiottifh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Panzitta, please visit our floral store.