Michael Angelo Tuscano, 68, of Kennett Square, died peacefully at home on Sunday, Dec. 11.
Michael Angelo Tuscano
Born in Newark, N.J., he was a son of the late Angelo and Grace (Ferraro) Tuscano.
Michael served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was recently awarded the Purple Heart by Vice President Joe Biden for injuries sustained during that time. He was very proud of his service and was grateful to finally receive his Purple Heart so many years later.
He was a vice president of Sharp Electronics Corporation for 38 years, retiring in 2007. He loved the game of golf and was a member of Kennett Square Golf and Country Club where he enjoyed many close friendships. Formerly, he was a member of Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora, Ill.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gayle Spencer, his beloved daughter, Leah Tuscano of Los Angeles, Calif.; his “French daughter” Celine Benevelli (Matthieu Buchet) and her sons Julien and Paul; three brothers, Robert Tuscano (Marian) of Arizona, Frank Tuscano (Carol) of New Jersey and Thomas Tuscano of New Jersey; one sister, Angela Antonio (Pat) of New Jersey and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister-in-law Cleo Tuscano.
You are invited to visit with Michael’s family and friends from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, at the Kennett Square Golf & Country Club 100 E. Locust Lane Kennett Square, PA 19348. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 11 with a reception to follow. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington VA. Contributions in his memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service or KACS PO Box 1025 Kennett Square PA 19348 or donations in honor of Michael Tuscano can be made to support the cancer research of Dr. Emmanuel Antonarakis at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Gifts can be made out to the Johns Hopkins University and sent to: The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 East Pratt Street, 17th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, or hopkinscancerresearch.org. Arrangements are by Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (610-444-4116) of Kennett Square. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com.
Concord Township supervisors Tuesday approved a preliminary budget for 2017 with no tax increase planned. The board will vote on the final budget next week
“I’m proud to announce this is the seventh year in a row we didn’t raise taxes,” said Supervisors’ Chairman Dominic Pileggi. “And we didn’t have to minimalize any of the services the residents of Concord Township have come to expect.”
The budget anticipates revenues and expenses to be $4.67 million. Of the revenue, $1.27 million will come from township property taxes.
Concord’s tax rate is 0.944 mills. Of that, 0.294 mills is for general purpose use, 0.135 is for fire protection, 0.133 is for fire hydrant service, 0.117 for the Rachel Kohl Library and 0.265 is for greenspace preservation. (A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.)
The township anticipates spending $151,000 on legal services and more than $688,000 on administrative and office expenses, including salaries. Another $456,600 is earmarked for public works administration and $340,920 for code enforcement.
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
Melvyn A. Hammarberg, 78, of West Chester, died Saturday, Dec.10 at his home.
Melvyn A. Hammarberg
Born Sept. 5, 1938 in Des Moines, Iowa, he was preceded in death by parents Ruth and Melvin.
He is survived by his loving wife, Hong. Dad is also survived by his children Kerstin (Lisa Borneman), Marc (Craig Rosenfeld), Erik (Leslie Levito), their mother Carol and grandchildren Niko and Logan. Siblings Linda (Brian) Willette, Jon (Ruth) Hammarberg, Paul (Porat) Hammarberg, nephew, nieces, and cousins.
Mel grew up in St. Paul, Minn. He attended Johnson High School and Gustavus Adolphus College. He received advanced degrees from Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary and the University of Pennsylvania. He received a doctorate in American civilization and in cognitive psychology.
Mel taught at George Washington University, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Pahlavi University in Shiraz – Iran, and was an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania for over 40 years in the American Civilization and Anthropology departments.
While in the American Civilization Department at Penn, Mel’s major teachings were of 20th century American civilization, the culture and conquest of the American West, native Indian peoples of North America, and cultural values in modern America. During this time he wrote The Indiana Voter, published by the University of Chicago Press (1977).
He became a licensed psychologist whose studies led him to understanding issues of individual identity and group cohesion. This developed his interest in psychological anthropology and the human response to situations of extreme stress. From these ideas he developed the Penn Inventory for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is widely used today.
His interest in the Latter Day Saints led him on a life-long study of the Mormon Church in America, which culminated in a book titled, “The Mormon Quest for Glory” published by the Oxford University Press (2013).
He was also involved in the National Institute for Humanities as a faculty member, taught as a Fulbright faculty member for summer courses, and taught at the Lauder Institute at the Wharton School. Mel was a lifelong learner and teacher.
As a young person Mel spent summers working at his parent’s Dairy Queen, attending summer camp, time at North Sand Lake in Wisconsin, he was an athlete and held the title of MIAC Diving Champion from his sophomore through senior years at Gustavus, he joined the fraternity Phi Alpha at Gustavus, was the editor for the Gustavian yearbook, and fancied himself a magician.
Mel enjoyed interests in travel and photography. From taking his family camping throughout North America, to adventures in Europe, Iran, Asia, South America and Scandinavia. While exploring, he also collected ethnographic information about people and always wanted to know more about peoples and cultures. He was a constant observer through the lens of his camera of cultures and people.
One of his most significant travel adventures led him to China where he met his wife Hong. She joined him in West Chester where they built a full life together. Hong supported and encouraged Mel to complete his book, made sure that he worked on his “bucket list,” and encouraged him to spend time with his children and grandchildren as often as possible. Dad’s life was greatly enriched by Hong’s presence.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers you make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Gustavus Adolphus College, Public Radio, or the charity of your choice. A private internment will be held at a later date.
Please join us in a celebration of Mel’s life on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. with a gathering at Donohue Funeral Home 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA, 610-431-9000.
Anthony “Skip” J. Pannell Jr., 76, of Kennett Square, died Sunday, Dec. 11, at his home in Kennett Square.
Anthony “Skip” J. Pannell Jr.
Born in West Grove, he was a son of the late Anthony J. and the late Millie (Ruggieri) Pannell Sr.
He graduated from Kennett High School in 1958.
Skip worked in the mushroom industry his entire life working with his father and brother and for the past 20 years with his son as co-owner of Hillcrest Farms in Toughkenamon. He was past president of the American Mushroom Institute.
He enjoyed skiing, swimming and driving his corvette. He was a private pilot and Black Belt in Karate. Most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include one son, Anthony Pannell III (Kim) of Kennett; two daughters, Robyn Welsh (Scottie) of West Grove and Anita Snow (John) of Kennett; one brother, Tommy Pannell (Mary) of Avondale; two sisters, Dorothy Mehl of Avondale and Sally Stier (Kenny) of Landenberg; fourteen grandchildren, Andria, Joey, Jackie, Sean, Nicci, Johnny, Dallas, Kati, Jake, Michayla, Cheyenne, Colton, Rebecca and Caileen and three great-grandchildren, Logan, Emmi and Elaina.
You are invited to visit with Anthony’s family and friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-444-4116) 250 W. State St. Kennett Square, PA 19348. A service celebrating his life will follow at 7 p.m. Interment will be held privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, 1901 Rockland Rd. Wilmington, DE 19803. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com
Police Log Dec. 14: Burglary suspect caught, drug possession, DUIs
• After three months of investigation, state police from the Avondale barracks arrested Germon Soto-Moreno, 29, in connection with a series of burglaries in Southern Chester County. According to police, the suspect was involved in a total of 12 burglaries and one attempted burglary between Aug. 17 and Sept. 21. Among the 12, four were committed in New Garden Township. The others were in Penn, London Grove and East Nottingham townships. Soto-Moreno was being incarcerated in the Chester County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.
• A 66-year-old Pennsbury woman was the victim of identity theft in November. Police said someone made a purchase on her Nordstrom credit account. The card was in the victim’s possession at the time of the purchase.
• State police said Edward F. Cluff, 88, of Kennett Square was cited after the car he was driving crossed the opposing traffic lane and struck a downed tree on Parkersville Road in Pennsbury Township on Nov. 21 at 1:17 p.m.
• State police said Benjamin Jonah Arnold, 38, of West Grove, was charged with drug possession after state police responded to a report of a disturbance on Federal Walk in East Marlborough Township on Dec. 11. According to the report, police discovered an active arrest warrant out on Arnold. Marijuana was found in his possession while he was being taken into custody on the warrant.
• Henry Albert Wilks, 22, of Landenberg, was charged with DUI following a traffic stop on East Street Road in Pennsbury Township at 3:05 a.m. on Dec. 3, according to state police.
• Two Virginia men were arrested for drug possession in east Marlborough Township on Dec. 1. A police report said James Lasharn Bligen III, 24, and John Alfred Jones, 26, both of Woodbridge, Va., were arrested for possession after a traffic stop. One was also arrested for DUI, though the report did not say which one.
• Police said Azizbek Ikramov, 31, of Philadelphia, was cited for following too closely after he rear-ended another vehicle that was stopped at a traffic light on Route 1 at School House Road in East Marlborough Township on Dec. 8. No injures were reported.
• Alexander P. Dominguez, 19, of Oxford, was cited after a one-car accident in West Marlborough Township on Dec. 8, a state police report said. According to police, Dominguez was driving south on Newark Road at 11:41 p.m. when he ran off the road and struck a tree. No injuries were reported.
• An unidentified 30-year-old male from Wilmington was arrested for DUI following a traffic stop for speeding on Route 41 in New Garden Township at 1:25 a.m. on Dec. 5.
• On Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m., New Garden Township police were dispatched to the 300 block of Scarlett Road in New Garden Township for the attempted retail theft that just occurred. According to a report, Nichole Kennedy, 42, of Kennett Square, had attempted to take an item from a business but was confronted and the item was retrieved. She left the area, heading towards Kennett Square Borough, pushing a shopping cart containing other items. Assisted by Kennett Square Borough Police, Kennedy was located and detained. The total value of the stolen items was approx. $300. Kennedy was taken into custody without incident and transported back to the station. Kennedy was arraigned, and then released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
• A one-vehicle accident led to a Kennett Square man being cited. State police said Patrick C. O’Connor, 25, was driving south on Route 52 near Red Bridge Road in Pocopson Township on Nov. 30 when he lost control of the Mazda 625 he was driving, ran off the road, struck a tree and then crossed back over the roadway and struck a pole. The incident happened as 12:19 p.m.
• An unidentified 33-year-old male from Kennett Square was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia following a traffic stop on Route 1 in New Garden Township at 2:41 p.m. on Nov. 25.
• State police from the Avondale barracks said Alexandria Nancy Haegele, 27, of West Chester, was arrested for DUI at a Sobriety Checkpoint on Route 1 near Route 52 in Kennett Township at 1:59 a.m. on Nov. 26.
• Kennett Township police are investigating a burglary that took place sometime between 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the 800 block of Merrybell lane. According to a police report, unknown suspects gained entry into the victim’s detached garage, through an unlocked door. Various tools and lawn equipment were taken. If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious during those times in that area, please contact them at 610-388-2874.
• After responding to a report of a disturbance in the 200 block of Old Kennett Road, Kennett Township police cited Karin Tapia-Estrada, 20, of Wilmington, and Juan Villafane, 19, also of Wilmington, for disorderly conduct due to having drug paraphernalia present in their vehicle. The incident happened Dec. 2.
• Kennett Township police said 25 car batteries were stolen from a property in the 700 block of West Cypress Street sometime on or before Dec. 5. A report said that a shed in the rear of the property was forced open. The shed had a secure padlock on it, which was cut and inside 25 car batteries were taken.
