SCRANTON, Pa. -- A funeral service was held Monday in Scranton for Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Conaboy.
Family and friends gathered at Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary church on Prospect Avenue.
Judge Conaboy retired in 1992 but continued working as a senior judge. He died last week after suffering a heart attack.
"Great guy, big loss. You can't replace him. He was a wonderful man. He had a lot of heart, compassion, and understanding," said former Lackawanna County Judge Chester Harhut.
The burial Mass at St. Paul of the Cross parish in Scranton celebrated the life of the Scranton native.
Judge Conaboy was a Lackawanna County judge for more than 15 years before becoming a federal judge in 1979.
Along with countless family members in attendance were colleagues and friends.
During the funeral Mass, Conaboy's son spoke about their childhood, what it was like growing up in a house of 14, and how that meant their father never had hot water by the time it was his turn to take a shower. But still, they ate dinner together every single night, all 14 of them. This was just one of the many favorite memories that was shared.
"His Irish jokes were the best. He was Irish, so he could tell Irish jokes, and he told some great ones," said former Scranton Mayor Eugene Peters.
Judge Conaboy and his wife Marion recently celebrated 68 years of marriage. Friends and family say they have never seen a love like theirs.
"I'll always be proud to know this judge, what a great person. Anyone who needed any help, including me and my position as I started off in politics and he was there already, whatever I needed, Judge Conaboy was there, and today his family follows that same legend," said Peters.
Judge Richard Conaboy was 93 years old.
Judge Conaboy was also longtime friends with U.S. District Judge William Nealon, who died in August.
