Nicholas "Streaky" Dardes, age 97 died on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Allied Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Scranton where he had been a patient for the past 2 months. The love of his life was his wife Rosemary Cannon Dardes who passed away on December 23, 2004.

Born in Pittston, he was the second of three sons of Paul and Antoinette Meola Dardes, who emigrated from Italy in the early 20th century. He graduated from Pittston High School and immediately joined the Navy.

Streaky was known throughout the Greater Pittston area as a pioneer in the organization and development of organized sports. He initiated youth baseball teams before Little League was ever heard of. He was the founder, fund raiser, coach, manager, player and emotional leader of the Red Devils Athletic Club which was the centerpiece of club members' lives when they were growing up in their old Pittston neighborhood. The club, which was formed in the late 1930's, had its heyday in post war years from 1946-53. The Red Devils needed only one reason to play-To Win. They earned and deserved a reputation of competitiveness and the nickname "Club of Champions".

Streaky had a personal dream of making it in major league baseball and was drafted and signed by the Boston Red Sox and played 3 years of minor league baseball in Georgia and North Carolina.

Upon returning to the Greater Pittston Area, he managed and played baseball in local Sunday leagues. He remained actively involved in sports by going on to manage the Teeners and Senior Teener teams for over 14 years. He was inducted into the Northeastern Region Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on October 22, 1995. In his later years he never missed his grandchildren's baseball, football or basketball games and continued to be very vocal with the umpires or refs on a "bad call".

Streaky was a proud veteran of World War II serving in the US Navy on the U.S.S. Buckley. He took great pride in his war time service and was very proud to have served while the ship was awarded the Presidential Ships Unit Citation. Later he enjoyed getting together with his shipmates and their wives at Buckley Reunions held across the country.

Prior to retirement, he was employed for over 25 years by Potlatch, Inc., Ransom. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston.

Streaky was a dedicated father first and foremost. He treasured his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and embraced every moment with them. He especially loved spreading his passion for the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians with his family and was successful in driving that same unabashed faith and love of these Ohio Teams to all.

He is survived by his loving children: Maryclare Petrosky and husband Joseph, Moosic; Danae Hinsley and husband Dave, Ocean City, NJ; Ruth Ann Dardes, Scranton, and son, Dr. Nicholas Dardes Jr. and wife Elizabeth, Beaufort, SC. His adored grandchildren are: Jill Golden, Joey Hinsley, Gregg Petrosky, Nikki Hinsley, Mikey Hinsley, Nicholas Dardes III, Nathan Dardes and Natalie Dardes. He is also survived by his adored great grandchildren: Cole and Tess Golden and Maeve Hinsley.

In addition to his wife and parents, Nick was preceded in death by his infant grandson Drew Dardes and brothers Matthew and Michael Dardes.

The funeral will be Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 9:15 AM from Baloga Funeral Home, Inc., 1201 Main Street, Pittston (Port Griffith), with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William St. Pittston. Interment will be in Pittston Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by AMVETS Honor Guard of Greater Pittston.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Po Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis TN 38148.

For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.balogafuneralhome.com