Frank "Birchie" Brzostowski

MOUNT CARMEL — Frank "Birchie" Brzostowski, 83, of 322 N. Oak St., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at his home due to an ongoing illness.

Born in Mount Carmel on March 5, 1926, to Polish immigrants, the late Alexander and Stephania (Sobolewski) Brzostowski, le lived in Mount Carmel most of his life, except when he lived for a time in Alaska, where he worked as a longshoreman.

"Birchie" served in the U.S. Army Air Force from July 1944 to October 1946. During World War II, he was a plane mechanic stationed in Okinawa, where he worked on a plane called "Lady in Waiting." He received the following medals: American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation of Japan Medal and the World War II Victory Ribbon.

On July 2, 1949, in Church of Our Lady in Mount Carmel, he married Ruth Taxweiler, who survives.

He worked at the Old Saint Nick Coal Breaker for many years in Mahanoy City and loved to tell his grandchildren about his many adventures.

He was a longtime member of the West End Athletic Club, Divine Redeemer Church, American Legion Post 91 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110, all of Mount Carmel, and the United Mine Workers.

He enjoyed spending time with family and loved to ride on his riding lawn mower, cutting the neighborhood lawns. He loved fishing and picking mushrooms with his best friend Cookie. He loved polka music, taking his dog Rowenna to the local taverns and the Three Stooges. "Birchie" loved going to "the cabin" and relaxing by the fire. He will be missed, but never forgotten in our hearts. He may not have been a good dance partner, but he gave good hugs!

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Michael and Robin Brzostowski, David Brzostowski, of Mount Carmel, and a daughter, Karen Sebastian, all of Mount Carmel; grandchildren, Mandy and Jason Fantini, of Locust Gap, Christie and Sam Beagle, of Mount Carmel, Jessica and Joseph Odorizzi, of Dooleyville, Trinna and Joseph Delia, of Mount Carmel, Timothy and wife Courtney Sebastian, of Mount Carmel, Eric and Jason Sebastian, of Mount Carmel, and Brooklynn, Dakota, Jeffery, Alexander and Elijah Brzostowski, of Mount Carmel; five great-grandchildren, Mason Fantini, of Locust Gap, Jacob Belfanti, of Mount Carmel, Addison and Kaylyn Odorizzi, of Mount Carmel, and an Odorizzi on the way, and Penelopy "Penny" Sebastian, of Mount Carmel; three sisters, Marie Bielarski, Helen Moleski and Betty Soury, all of Mount Carmel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, a brother, John Brzostowski, and two sisters, Tessie Megosh and Gertie Brzostowski.