William Patrick Osborne, Jr.

William Patrick Osborne Jr.
November 16, 2023

William Patrick “Ozzie” Osborne, Jr., 66, a proud resident of the Minooka section of Scranton, died on Thursday morning at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 41 years, Mary Lynn Langan Osborne.

Born in Scranton, the son of the late William P. Osborne and Joan Louise Davis Osborne, he was a graduate of Scranton Central High School, class of 1976, where he played on the O-line for the Golden Eagles Football Team, alongside the best lifelong buddies a kid could have. Billy then enrolled at the Johnson School of Technology, earning a degree in Welding. He would utilize his expert knowledge of the trade for over two decades at  the Scranton Sewer Authority, before retiring in 2016. An abiding sense of patriotism, honoring his father’s own service to the U.S. Navy, and putting those same skills to work, he answered the call of duty and enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves, as a member of the United States Naval Construction Battalion, “CB”s, or Seabees, for short. There Billy was awarded a variety of service medals and ribbons, for work as a welder, steelworker, and in safety management. His everlasting commitment to veteran causes continued with his membership in local veterans organizations around town, particularly the American Legion Post 568 in Minooka, the  Koch-Conley Post 121 in South Side, and the Theodore Wint Post 25 on the North End, where he thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and fraternity of his military brothers and sisters.

Beyond the workday, he would be found in the garage, a skillful mechanic tinkering with and polishing his vast collection of automobiles and scooters. Saying Ozzie was a car guy is, well, an understatement. Over the course of his automotive lifetime, he was the proud owner of over 100 (yes, one hundred) vehicles of all makes, models, colors and sizes, all kept in pristine condition. He loved going to car shows and swap meets with his like-minded friends (this means you, Mike), and sharing car talk for hours on end. He literally paraded these land yachts through town, especially on St. Patrick’s Parade Day, dignitaries in tow, behind the wheel, wearing a grin stretching ear to ear. All told, Ozzie was a Cadillac guy at heart.

Billy and Lynn loved to travel. Packing the well pressed shirts, khakis, stylish saddle shoes, and a few opinions, the party was mobile, be it to his cousin Bobby’s summer house on the shores of Ocean City, Maryland, or to the family cottage at Chapman Lake, there the raucous fun and hilarious storytelling would flow along with a cold one or two. Or three. The couple recently celebrated their 41^st wedding anniversary by enjoying a cruise to Bermuda in October with family and friends.

So proud of his Celtic heritage and his land stake in Minooka, Billy considered himself a lucky guy, having achieved the social trifecta of being Irish, Catholic and Democratic. He felt blessed, by his many circles of friends, linked for life, from the Central gridders to the car club enthusiasts to the folks at the seashore and lake, as well as the in-laws and outlaws, neighbors, fellow employees and a cast of characters too numerous to mention, all felt the indelible impact of his friendship. But he would tell you that Lynn and Kelley and Billy, Jr. were his everything because they were. A hard working man, he provided for and supported them unconditionally, with every fiber of his being. Billy “Ozzie” Osborne lived a meaningful and beautiful life. Enjoy the ride !   

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kelley Osborne, and a son, William P. Osborne, III, both of Minooka, a sister, Carol Munley, North Scranton, a brother, James Osborne, and wife Denise Shandra, East Mountain, a brother, Michael Osborne, Green Ridge, in-laws Joseph and Joanne Langan, Clarks Summit, and Lisa and Marty Genello, Dunmore, several nieces, nephews and cousins, and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, William P. Osborne, Sr. in 2015, and his mother, Joan Louise Davis Osborne in 2019, and a brother-in-law, James Munley, in 2021.

The funeral will be conducted on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 am  in St. Joseph’s Church at Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis Street, Scranton. The family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00 AM and until the commencement of services. Burial following, with full military honors, at the Italian-American Cemetery, Scranton.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 323 William Street, Scranton.

Condolences and stories may be shared on the funeral home’s website, freganfuneral.com

Memorial contributions may be directed to Friedreich's Ataxia Research, in honor of his daughter, Kelley, at FARA, 533 W. Uwchlan Ave., Downington, PA 19335