Thomas J. Ruane

Thomas J. Ruane

January 22, 2025

Thomas J. Ruane, 72, of the Green Ridge section of Scranton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning at home surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Marilouise Agnone Ruane, who died in 2022. 

Born in Scranton on February 3, 1952, he was the son of the late Rosemary Howley Ruane and Joseph Ruane. He grew up in Scranton’s Hill Section and graduated from Cathedral High School. He studied English literature at King’s College, which furthered his passion for stories and narrative which he enjoyed his entire life. He earned a master's degree from Rutgers University before embarking on a more than 40-year career in Speech Language Pathology. 

Tom cared deeply about his patients, utilizing his gifts of curiosity and innovative thinking to devise engaging, customized activities and prompts, helping them regain their ability to speak and swallow, greatly improving their lives. 

After ending his work in inpatient care, his tremendous interest in people and love of what he did kept him engaged in home health visits as recently as November of last year, just before his cancer diagnosis. 

Throughout his career, he worked at many local health care providers including Moses Taylor Hospital, Clarks Summit State Hospital and a number of home health agencies, he particularly valued his time at Moses under the leadership of Doug Allen, James Kinney, Harold “Andy” Anderson and others of that time period, including the late Paul Brock. He enjoyed the camaraderie of many wonderful colleagues who became friends, collaborating with them to provide excellent patient care. 

In his spare time, Tom was a voracious reader who was always ready to share a new title with friends and family and he would also happily read something recommended by a friend, no matter the subject. He amassed a collection of thousands of volumes to say nothing of the books he was always reading on his devices. He enjoyed adventures near and far with his “Irish Navy” kayaking club and had a lifelong talent for painting and drawing, often creating custom gifts to give to friends. Tom also had a keen appreciation for all types of music and loved to play the guitar. 

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his uncle, John Howley, his aunt, Anna Jeanne Howley, his son, Martin Agnone Ruane (2016), and his brother, John T. Ruane (2024). 

He is survived by his son, Atty. Peter Agnone Ruane, and fiancée,Jennifer Manganello, Scranton; brother Joseph, and wife Audrey, Dunmore; sister-in-law Judith Ruane, Olyphant; brother James, and wife Lucy, Miami, FL; sister-in-law Marisa Regan, and husband Robert, Manassas, VA; sister-in-law Francine Kevra, and husband John, Ed.D, Scranton; brother-in-law Frank Agnone, MD, and wife Brenda Dennert, MD, Phoenix, AZ; and many other family members whom he loved and valued. 

The family would like to thank Thomas Churilla, MD and the staff of NROC, Sanjay Saxena, MD, and particularly his brother-in-law Frank Agnone, MD, who generously traveled to be with Tom, providing insight and care in his last days.

The funeral will be conducted on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in The Cathedral of St. Peter, 301 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton. Those attending services are asked to proceed directly to the church. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Eugene A. Cusick Funeral Home, 217 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton. Burial, private, Cathedral Cemetery, at the convenience of the family. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Frank M. Regan, Funeral Director. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Poor, Scranton, friendsofthepoorscranton.com. 

Express condolences and share memories on the funeral home website, freganfuneral.com