Mr. Richard J. “Chichi” Koscielski, 78, a resident of East Main Street in the Miners Mills section of the city, passed into Eternal Life unexpectedly Friday evening at his residence. Born March 9, 1940 in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son to the late Felix and Ethel (Draynock) Koscielski. Educated in the city schools, Richard was a member of the 1957 graduating class of the James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre.
In his youth, Mr. Koscielski was employed with his late brother-in-law, Mr. Charles Gordon as an ironworker and steeplejack locally. He then proudly served our country with the United States Army, being stationed overseas, gaining culinary skills as a military cook. Upon his return home, Richard previously worked with the Valley Vending Company of Wilkes-Barre.
In 1973 until his retirement, in 1998, Mr. Koscielski honorably protected the citizens of his beloved hometown by serving as a firefighter with the City of Wilkes-Barre Bureau of Fire for some 25 years. His assignments included the former Scott Street and Conyngham Avenue firehouses. In his spare time, Richard was an avid gardener and having learned cooking skills while in the Army, he focused his talents on ethnic dishes, being known for his homemade pirohy and halupki.
He held membership in the North End Slovak Citizens Club of Wilkes-Barre, the Joseph E. Conlon Post #855 of the American Legion in Plains and was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local #104, Wilkes-Barre. Richard was a gentleman with a very giving persona of whom, even in his passing has donated his physical remains to the Pennsylvania Humanitary Gifts Registry in the hopes prospective students at the Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College might benefit and learn from his own illness. He was preceded in death by brothers Joseph and Robert Koscielski and by sisters Eleanor Gordon and Mae Kowalski.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife, the former Lorraine Miller at home; Daughter, Tara Koscielski of Buffalo, NY; former wife and dear friend, the former Jean (Cholewa) Koscielski of Wilkes-Barre; Step-children, Heather, Robert and Joseph Artmont and Diana Kozak and her husband Edward; Several step-grandchildren; Sisters Carol Ferruggiaro and her husband Jack of Virginia, Dorothy Hossler of Kingston; Sister-in-law and care-giving assist, Barbara Bozek, at home; Many nieces and nephews and his faithful companion, his dog, Diesel. Funeral services per Richard’s wishes will be private and at the convenience of his family. The North Wilkes-Barre location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc. is honored to care for Richard and his family at this time.
In lieu of floral tributes, his family would be humbled if those contemplating a memorial contribution in his memory, kindly consider the Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, PA 18612.
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