John S. Hyder, 91, one of the most well-known men in Luzerne County, died on Wednesday,
January 3, 2024, at Geisinger CMC, Scranton.
Born December 6, 1932, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, John was the son of Samuel Hyder and Anna
Saba Hyder. He went to GAR High School before attending Penn State University to obtain his
Associate’s Degree. After graduating, John joined the United States Navy and served for four
years, mostly overseas, where his proudest moment was his involvement in cracking a key
weather code in the Korean War.
After his military service, John wore many hats. He was a Little League coach, a Mini-Mohawk
football coach, and a member of the Meyer’s Quarterback Club off and on for over 20 years,
which, in his mind, gave him unlimited rights to scream at Mickey Gorham from the stands
whenever he saw fit. In the 70’s, he worked in Wilkes-Barre’s City Hall, and later opened a well-
loved and still-talked-about restaurant named Maria’s Pizza on Parrish Street in Wilkes-Barre,
and later Maria’s Pasties in Ashley. He then served as the Clerk of Courts in the Luzerne
County Courthouse for many years until his retirement. He was a favorite Sunday School
teacher at his church, St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre, where he was a
life-long member. And, although he was a full-blooded Arab, he managed to serve as the
president of the Italian American Veterans, a position he carried with pride.
John was a charismatic lover of life. Some of his favorite past-times included being a notorious
flirt and a ladies’ man, camping out at Nockley’s Pharmacy, and offering his services as an
unpaid food critic. Many of John’s generation will remember him as a morning fixture at the old
Nedoff’s Restaurant and Diner. He was a collector of coins, ate his food scalding hot, dabbled in
politics, and enjoyed his weekly Friday trips to Peter’s Ice Cream to share a pizza with friends.
He found the internet and Facebook in his 80s, which afforded him the opportunity to send
inappropriate jokes to family and friends. He loved showing off his Arabic–which was really just
a stream of poorly-translated curse words–sports, gambling, and playing cards. But most
important to him was his only grandchild, Abby, for whom he traveled as far as Colorado to
watch play soccer. She was truly the light of his life.
Preceding John in death are his parents, Samuel and Anna; brother, Jacob Hyder; sisters,
Gwendolyn Antoz, Violet Cardillo, Anita Sartini, and Bertie Molnar.
Surviving are his sons, JJ Hyder, of Wilkes-Barre; Daro Hyder, of Colorado, his granddaughter,
Abigail; cousins; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces
and nephews.
John spent the last fourteen months of his life at Tiffany Court in Kingston, PA, where he was a
favorite among the residents and staff. We would like to thank them for their flexibility and
patience, and especially, we extend our gratitude to their care team for their wonderful kindness
and hospitality.
Friends may call Sunday, January 14, from 3pm-5pm at Mamary-Durkin Funeral & Cremation
Services in Wilkes-Barre. The funeral will begin with Trisagion at Mamary-Durkin on Monday,
January 15, at 9:30am followed by the funeral service at 10am in St. Mary’s Antiochian
Orthodox Church, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
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