George Richard “Richie” Koszty (83)
of Naples, Florida found peace this past Tuesday, May 28, 2019, despite his steadfast resolve.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Charles “Vasil” Koszty (d. 1973) and Anna Remeta Koszty (d. 1971) of Rahway, New Jersey. He was the very last born of their troupe of children, and doted on by one and all.
As a first generation American, Richard followed in his older brothers’ US Military Service boot prints, proudly serving in the United States Army 1959-61 in Anchorage, Alaska during the Cold War.
In the 1960s, Richard worked as a distinguished quality control technician at Singer-Kerfott’s Aerospace Guidance System Division in New Jersey. His delicate electronics became an integral part of the very first moon landing in 1969.
The youngest of his siblings, Richard was close in age to many of his abundance of nieces and nephews, and known to family as Beloved Uncle Richie, the good-humored jokester. So many stories of joyous times continue to come into the light.
As a young man, Richard enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing with family and friends in the northeast. After moving to south Florida in 1973, family camping vacations became his go-to getaway. He dabbled in sketching and painting, as well as tinkering for hours on end on his electric organ.
For much of his life, Richard took pleasure in the brotherhood and camaraderie of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Passaic Valley Lodge #2111 was his initial home, before transferring to Naples Elks Lodge #2010, to eventually rise, through much hard work and dedication, to the esteemed position of Exalted Ruler. He continued to serve and assist children’s charities as Past Exalted Ruler, Chairman of the Board, and five years as a Trustee.
At his home in Naples, Richard was often found puttering among his flourishing tropical gardens and goldfish pond. In his retirement years he revisited his fondness of ballroom dancing and added his own special magic to the nightly bocce ball tourneys at Vanderbilt Beach.
Richard was the ultimate do-it-yourself guru, and was known to friends and neighbors as “Mr Fix-it.” His intuitive skills, guidance, and dogged persistence to conquering any challenge instilled in his children the life skills needed to succeed.
Richard is survived by his children, Wayne (Debbie Blanton) Koszty and Stacey (Kevin) Wheeler, their mother Treasure Bernard (Joseph d.) Uchison, and many, many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren.
Richard is also survived by his cherished brother, Peter Kosty and Pete’s loving wife, Grace Depew Kosty.
Preceding Richard in death are his siblings: Mary (Mike Laggo); Anna (Charles Karol, George Nyerges); John (Marguerite “Coyle” Flanagan) Kosty; Helen (Andrew Soyka); Michael (Ethel) Kosty; Pauline (John Kroboth); Charles, Jr “Chet” (Beverly Jeffries) Kosty; Emery (survived by Emily Fabian) Kosty; Irene (Leo “Lee” Minch), Emily Koszty, and Joseph “Buddy” (Mary Ann West) Kosty.
Funeral services for Richard will be held at 9:30 am this Friday, May 31 at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd Street,
Gainesville, FL 32607 (352-376-5405)
His interment will be 2:30pm in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to St Jude Children’s Hospital. http://giftfunds.stjude.org/GeorgeRichardKoszty
Arrangements are in the care of Milam Funeral and Cremation Services, 311 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. (352) 376-5361 www.milamfh.com
