Philip Frank Mercadante Sr., 79, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Friday, October 30, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital–Anderson Campus in Easton, just ten days before his 80th birthday.

Born November 9, 1946, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Anthony and Rose (Nardone) Mercadante. Philip attended G.A.R. Memorial High School. Raised in a large Italian family, he learned early the meaning of hard work and generosity. As a boy, he sold his mother’s homemade pizza door to door after school, giving her all his earnings, and sold watermelons along the highway for his Uncle Mike. He fondly remembered his mother’s homemade bread piled with ham or salami.

At 15, Philip began working at Carter Footwear in Wilkes-Barre as a trimmer and material handler. He later worked as a spreader and cloth layer at Sea Isle Garment Factory, where his speed became legendary among coworkers. After years in the garment industry, he pursued professional painting with Millard’s Paint & Decorating Company of Nanticoke, working alongside his friend Stan. Renowned for his precision cutting in corners, he earned the nickname “Cut Can.” He took pride in painting cooling pipes at the PPL Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick and teaching his son the trade.

Philip subsequently served as head of maintenance for Custom Management Corporation in Kingston and later worked at Garden Village Apartments in West Pittston. There, he brightened residents’ days with jokes, singing, and dancing; to him, the work was about people, not merely buildings. After a shoulder injury ended his maintenance career, he spent approximately ten years working part-time behind the scenes at Bakery Delite in Plains. He deeply appreciated owner George’s kindness in accommodating his increasing physical limitations.

Philip met the love of his life, Patricia “Patty” Zinga, when their families lived next door in a Wilkes-Barre double-block home, his lively Italian family beside hers of Polish heritage. On one of their first dinners together, Patty burned spaghetti in an electric frying pan, but Philip assured her it was delicious and cleaned his plate. They married November 26, 1966, at Holy Rosary Church in Ashley and shared nearly 60 years of devotion. He surprised her with flowers, drove her past their wedding church and around Harveys Lake, and, whenever the mood struck, swept her into his arms to dance like two teenagers in love, for as long as his strength allowed.

Proud to welcome son Philip Jr. in 1969, he passed out cigars to celebrate. Daughter Joy arrived in 1973, living up to her name, and youngest daughter Joan, his “Half-Pint,” completed the family in 1978. Though he often worked two jobs, sometimes three, Philip made time for wagon and sleigh rides, Kirby Park, swimming, softball games, and summer trips to Camp of the Nations and Ocean City, New Jersey. He even painted at his children’s Christian school to help pay tuition. After long days, he would offer the children a quarter to massage his back and feet with an old green electric massager, often falling asleep on the floor. He later proudly walked both daughters down the aisle.

A man of steadfast Christian faith, Philip brought his family to Calvary Bible Church each Sunday and served there as a deacon. He drove the Vacation Bible School van, supported WRGN Christian radio fundraising, shared his faith with others, and was also associated with Second Welsh Congregational Church in Wilkes-Barre.

Affectionately called “Poppy Meatball,” a nickname given by granddaughter Julie, Philip treasured his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved Sunday spaghetti dinners, Italian flat caps, checkers, coins, Coca-Cola memorabilia, Andrea Bocelli’s music, and making people laugh with festive ties and socks. Christmas was especially magical: he decorated the tree, arranged gifts, ate Santa’s cookies, remembered the tangerines in the stockings, and built a train display beneath the tree with Philip Jr. He cherished his vintage Nativity display and his mother’s Christmas candelabra.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings: Angeline Hughes, Rosemarie Perillo, Anthony Mercadante, Antoinette Mercadante, Josephine Farrell, Joseph Mercadante, and Carmen A. Mercadante.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Patricia (Zinga) Mercadante; children, Philip Mercadante Jr. (Robert Dunlap), Joy Behm (David Behm), and Joan Monico (Anthony Monico); seven grandchildren, Julie Marie Tondt, Abigail Castillo, Ayva Behm Hart, Sarah Behm, Kahla Mercadante, Karissa Lewis, and Alysandra Monico; and four great-grandchildren, Solace, Lucas, Aidan, and Isla.

Friends may call Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, Inc., 140 N. Main Street, Shavertown. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 5, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Maple Hill Cemetery, 68 E. St. Mary’s Road, Wilkes-Barre, with Pastors Kevin Straka and Stephen Perillo officiating. Burial will follow immediately. Pallbearers will be Anthony Monico, Robert Dunlap, David Behm, Dylan Lewis, Daniel Castillo, and John Kastendieck.

Memorial Contributions may be made in his memory to WRGN Radio, 2457 SR 118, Hunlock Creek PA 18621

Philip’s legacy lives on in the faith he practiced, the kindness he showed, the laughter he shared, and the family he loved so dearly.

John 3:16 (King James Version): “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”