A revered former mayor of Scranton, a former police officer who lit up the holidays and a local, college and NFL standout whose sudden death shocked fans and friends from West Scranton to Wisconsin top the somber list of notable deaths in 2025.

A pair of trailblazers died young and a pair of beloved community pillars left the stage with legacies that live on. Who we lost in 2025:

Samuel Dino Argo: 73, Pittston, known as Danny Argo, local musician who often played La Festa Italiana, and was a longtime member of Pittston City Council, July 18.

George Bieber: 70, Moosic, president of Moosic Borough Council, 14-year member of Riverside School Board who served 17 years as public safety director at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, June 20.

Alex “Ace” Brogna: 86, Pittston native, minor league baseball player and a well-respected basketball and football official, helped bring back professional baseball to area with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, June 7.

Tom Culkin: 77, South Scranton, Vietnam War veteran and decorated officer over a 32-year career with the Scranton Police Department, known for extravagant holiday displays at his home, July 17.

William “Billy” Ferrario: 47, West Scranton native and standout offensive lineman with the Wisconsin Badgers and the Green Bay Packers, Sept. 23.

Paul LaBelle: 78, South Abington Twp., musician, conductor and bandleader best known for founding and leading the Exact Change Band, June 20.

Melanie Naro: 59, Dunmore, first female president of Dunmore Borough Council and first woman elected chair of the UNICO board of directors, Nov. 15.

Christopher Musti: 48, Scranton, Pennsylvania state constable and youngest director elected to Scranton School Board, Feb. 7

Richard N. Roman: 52, Butler Twp., served since January 2019 as the district executive for PennDOT’s Engineering District 4, Nov. 1.

John “Stanky” Stankovic: 89, Nanticoke, legendary Northeast Pennsylvania polka king who entertained millions of people from around the world for decades, Dec. 25.

John L. Stopay: 86, Plains Twp., ran family’s candy business until 2012 when it was sold, Nov. 27.

Thomas Robert Woods: 86, a well-known local radio and TV personality at WARM Radio, WILK Radio and WBRE-TV, May 19.

David J. Wenzel: 80, Scranton, lifelong public servant, decorated disabled Vietnam combat veteran and advocate for the disabled who served as tax collector and mayor of Scranton, Nov. 5.