Bruno Magoch

Bruno Magoch, 94, a resident of North Wilkes-Barre, entered into eternal life early Thursday morning, May 11, 2017, in the care of the Smith Health Care Center Ltd. in Mountain Top, after a recent illness.

Born Sept. 9, 1922, in Poland, he was the second of seven children to the late Jan and Apolonia (Golomb) Magoch. He attained his early education in Poland. As a teenager, Mr. Magoch would become a surviving prisoner of war following the German invasion of Poland during World War II. In 1939, he was transported from his homeland to Nazi prison camps in Germany with many of his fellow countrymen to be used as slave labor.

Following the war, he immigrated to the United States in November 1951, settling in the Passaic, N.J., area. He later would relocate to both upstate and the lower tier of New York before he and his family would settle in Wilkes-Barre's North End neighborhood.

While in New York state, he owned and operated several farms including dairy and produce. He initiated one of the first now popular farmer's markets in his region. Later, Mr. Magoch would retire as a facilities painter with the New York State Hospital System after 20 years of service. Upon his retirement, Bruno did not rest. He held a variety of part-time jobs in the Wyoming Valley, including being employed by the Wilkes-Barre Sam's Club wholesale store for several years.

He and his beloved wife, the former Genovieve Mikolayczyk, celebrated 54 years of married life together this past March 23. The couple shared a passion for gardening, which was evident to neighbors on their block or passersby. A humble man of diverse talents, Mr. Magoch was fluent in several languages, and previously taught language lessons.

He was an active member of the First Assembly of God Church on Stanton Street, Wilkes-Barre, where he formerly served as an usher and greeter.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Bruno was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Urbaniak, and most recently by a son, Allan D. Magoch, on Oct. 1, 2011.

Left to mourn his passing, in addition to his wife, Genovieve, at home, are his children, Daniel Magoch, Warwick, N.Y.; Richard Magoch, Walden, N.Y.; Diane Slagle, Westtown, N.Y.; and Kristine Magoch and her companion, Gaspare, also of Warwick, N.Y.; grandchildren, Alexandra, Brittany, Andrew, Emily, Zander, Gianna, Steven and Asland; three nephews and their families.

Funeral services for Mr. Magoch will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday from the North Wilkes-Barre location of John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 625 N. Main St. The Rev. Ronald Swanson, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church, will serve as celebrant.

Interment will be private and at the family's convenience.

Relatives and friends may join the Magoch family from 1 p.m. until the time of the services on Sunday.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family would be honored if those wishing to make a monetary contribution in their father's memory kindly consider the American Diabetes Association, 71 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, or to the American Heart Association, 71 N. Franklin St., Suite 203, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

To send Mrs. Magoch and her family online words of comfort, to light a virtual candle for Bruno or for additional information, please visit our family's website at www.JohnVMorrisFuneralHome.com.