Feb 11, 2018

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Thomas Stanko, 87, died Saturday, February 10, 2018, in Canonsburg General Hospital, after a lengthy illness.

A lifelong resident of Canonsburg, he was born December 10, 1930, a son of the late John and Elizabeth Stanko.

He attended Canonsburg schools, graduating in 1949. He went on to receive his bachelor degree from Clarion State College in 1953. He married the love of his life, Rena Comis, December 26, 1953. He then served his country in Korea for 17 months as a U.S. Army corporal.

After returning stateside, he taught at Cecil High School, where he also served as assistant wrestling coach for a year and head basketball coach for four years. He also directed stage productions for the junior and senior classes. He then went to Canon-McMillan, where he was an assistant basketball coach for a year then head basketball coach until 1966. He studied at Stratford on Avon on a Frick scholarship, studying Shakespearean literature. He received his master’s degree from University of Pittsburgh and also studied at Gannon University, University of Chicago and Columbia University. He was a professor in the English and Theatre Arts Department at Edinboro State College, which later became Edinboro University, for 34 years. He was chairman of the department for 12 years. He served as the adviser for the student newspaper, The Spectator, for 12 years, and was the “Voice of the Fighting Scots,” announcing basketball games for the university for over 20 years and was inducted into the University Athletic Hall of Fame for his distinguished service. In addition to his students and sports, he had a passion for the theatre. While at Edinboro, he developed the On Broadway course, which provided students the opportunity to study in New York City.

He also had a passion for thoroughbred racing. He co-owned Panda Farms and raced and claimed thoroughbreds at Commodore Downs, Thistle Downs, Waterford Park (Mountaineer Park) and also at Maryland and Canadian tracks. He owned Commodore Downs’ Horse of the Year, Mint Rhapsody. He was active in the community until his death. He served on Canonsburg School Board and Canonsburg-Houston Sewer Authority. He was active with the “Dollars for Scholars” Community Scholarship Foundation, was treasurer of the Democratic Party for three years and most recently served on the Frank Sarris Library Board.

He is survived by his wife, Rena, and son Thomas Kevin Stanko of Canonsburg and daughter Rebecca Lynn (Mark) Mastrangelo of Henderson, Nev. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth Stanko, and his brother, John “Jack” Stanko.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317, 724-746-1000, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, J. David Sollon, director. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 15, in the funeral home, with Pastor Jack Wilson, officiating. Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, with full military rites accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Frank Sarris Library be made in his honor.

Visit www.sollon.com to leave condolences.