-
Obituary
Michael A. Paisley, 94, passed away Wednesday at the Laurels Senior Living Community, Hazle Township, where he has resided for the last two years.
Michael was born in Hazleton, the son of the late John and Frances (LaRocco) Paisley, and graduated from Hazleton High School in 1950. He also attended upholstery school, a talent he utilized for years. He served in the U.S. Army, a proud member of the 101st Airborne. Most of his service time was spent in Germany as part of the finance corps. He took that skill into civilian life, working in the finance department of Tobyhanna Army Depot for 35 years. When he retired in 1990, he was chief of pay and examination branch. His family calculated that he had driven enough miles to make it to the moon and back.
Michael’s life was centered around his family, starting with his soulmate and love, the former Natalie Durso. They were “not too young” when they married in 1955. Their never-ending love story had a large cast, as they welcomed seven children through the years. The children’s theme song, “We Are the Paisley Kids,” was written by Michael, just one of many songs he wrote. He shared his musical talent with all of his family, and many gatherings were highlighted by sing-alongs around his guitar.
The Paisley Family enjoyed many adventures, including annual trips to Wildwood, New Jersey, fishing and swimming at state parks, and outings at Angela Park. He learned from necessity to be a carpenter, plumber, mechanic, and electrician, and after retirement, was “Mr. Fix-it” for his family. He enjoyed woodworking, and gifted many of his projects to friends and family.
Michael continued to share his music throughout his life, as a member of the MPB Folk Group and the MPB Community Players, the latter for which he took on several leading roles. More recently, he led “Singing With Michael” at his home at the Laurels, where dozens joined in singing favorite songs from the first half of the last century.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Natalie in 2021, his brother, James Paisley, and daughter-in-law, Anna.
He is survived by his children: Helene (Dave) Seamon, Judiann (Bill) McGrogan, John, Michael (Michelle), and Neil (Terri) Paisley, and the twins, Natalie (Dave) Umbriac and Nicholas (Chris) Paisley. He and Natalie were blessed with fifteen grandchildren; Jillian Hall, Lauren Kutney and Matthew and Michael Seamon, Ann Marie McGrogan; Katie Snyder and Ryan Paisley; Gina, Nathan, Austin, Jarod, Megan, Samantha, Abigail and Vincent Paisley. The next generation includes his great grandchildren, KJ, Bailey and Avery. He will also be missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Michael’s family would like to thank the staff and residents at the Laurels for being another family to him, and for showing him so much love, especially in his final days.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 25th, at 10 A.M. in his lifetime church Our Lady of Peace Parish at Most Precious Blood Church, Hazleton. Burial will be in Most Precious Blood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 24th, at the Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton from 5-8 P.M. -
Guestbook
Please click on "Please Leave Your Message" button. You may need to turn your phone horizontally. Please only enter your message once, it may take some time for your message to appear.
