Mr. George S. (Nipper) Nowakowski, 85, of Duryea, passed away peacefully Monday, October 16, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Swoyersville, he was the son of the late Stanley and Josephine Lewandowski Nowakowski and was a graduate of Pittston High School and the State Police Academy. He served in the United States Marines. Prior to his retirement, he was stationed at Troop P, Wyoming as a state trooper. He was also a member of the Luzerne and Lackawanna Drug Task Force and taught the Act 120 Class at Lackawanna College.

He was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea. In his younger years, he was a member of the Junction AC, the Red Devils, a Bonus Baby for the Yankees and Nipper and the Country Junction. Nipper was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the V.F.W. Post 396, Wyoming.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Judith Blasco, who passed away on September 15, 2019, brothers, Matthew, Stanley, Joe and Edward and sisters, Margaret Nowakowski, Lucille Davis, Anna Steponaitis, Theresa Moskaitis and Josephine Nowakowski.

Surviving are:
Daughter, Linda Oliveri and her husband, Albert, of Pittston
Son, Thomas Nowakowski and his wife, Jackie, of West Pittston
Daughter, Maria Mazzarella and her husband, Tony, of Laflin
Daughter, Laura Nowakowski of Duryea

Grandchildren:
A.J. Oliveri
Amanda Oliveri
Alyssa Sicurella
David Brocca
Thomas Nowakowski
Jacqueline Nowakowski
Matthew Mazzarella
Lauren Mazzarella
Nicolas Mazzarella
Ava Brady
Olivia Brady
Geno Brady

Nine great grandchildren
Nieces and nephews

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 9:30 am in Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea with the Rev. Michael Bryant officiating. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Duryea. A viewing will be held on Friday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main Street, Duryea. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church the morning of the funeral.  The Greater Pittston AMVETS will conduct military services the morning of the funeral. To leave an online condolence for Nipper's family, please visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfuneralhome.com.

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR ONLINE CONDOLENCE WILL NOT APPEAR UNDER THE GUESTBOOK ENTRIES UNTIL IT IS APPROVED BY THE FUNERAL HOME

Guestbook Entries

Rest in peace Brother, I just heard and so sorry for your loss.

Mike Barbuti (6 months ago)

To the Nowakowski family and friends …we are sorry for your loss !

Judy and Tom Lambert (6 months ago)

Will be missed. Great football and baseball teammate and great friend. I

Raymond Lucarella (6 months ago)

To Nipper’s Family.. I send my condolences! So sad that Nipper has passed. He was a great man trooper, musician, and friend. He will be united with his family, his wife , and his sidekick Gene Guarilia in Heaven! I could almost hear them playing and singing “The Key’s in the Mailbox” with that great band of musicians that passed before them in the afterlife . Rest is Peace, Nipper. You deserve the rest.. after all you accomplished down here.

Anthony Alu (6 months ago)

Deepest sympathies. Your dad was a man of tremendous vitality. I very much enjoyed our friendship and admired his love of family and his many fine personal qualities. RIP Nipper.

Tom Burke (6 months ago)

Will miss you Nipper. We had the best times while at the Milton Barracks

J Ronald Blackledge (6 months ago)

So sorry, he always had time to talk no matter how busy he was. He will be sadly missed.

John and Gyl Mikovitch (7 months ago)

I am extremely saddened by the passing of Nipper . He was a very close childhood friend when he lived on Swetland Street in Duryea in the 1940s . We often played baseball on the street , Nipper was always the best of the best . I am sure he will be greatly missed by his family. Please accept my deepest condolences on his passing. Most Sincerely, Bernie Stiroh

Bernie Stiroh (7 months ago)

Rest in Peace Brother Nipper.

Tom Durilla, PSP Troop M. ret. (7 months ago)

Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers.

Morris Slatky (7 months ago)

I’m so sorry for everyone’s loss he was a great person and friend.He will be missed by so many people.

Ralph cremard (7 months ago)

Rest in Peace Nipper. Another Junction great gone. You left many memories for the Junction people. My condolences to your family.

Lynn Kridlo Cingolani (7 months ago)

My most sincere condolences on your loss. He was a friend to both my Dad and father-in-law.

Ross G. Bratlee (7 months ago)

So sorry for your loss, our prayers are with you and your family.

Jim Tighe (7 months ago)

Linda so sorry for your loss Sending love and prayers.

Jannette Morgan (7 months ago)

I am so very sorry for your loss. Laura, Alyssa, and the entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Heidi Singer (7 months ago)

I am so sorry for the loss of you Father!

Patti Bartuska (7 months ago)

Laura, so sorry for your loss

Carla Hughes Mullen (7 months ago)

So sorry for the loss of your father God bless you all as you share your precious memories of him God Rest his soul.

Lehrae Ann Edwards (7 months ago)

Linda and family, so sorry for your loss.

Joy Zukauskas (7 months ago)

My sincere condolences. Prayers for All. May he rest in peace. God Bless.

Margie Norwood (7 months ago)

Linda, Laura , Alyssa and families, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. What an exciting life he's had! He's now reunited with your mom and is at peace. My deepest condolences

Mary Lou Callaio (7 months ago)

UPS, and most specifically Team Collins send you our condolences. Tony, Maria and family, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rayford Collins (7 months ago)

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