Edward F. "Cash" Koszela

NEW CASTLE, PA - Edward F. (Cash) Koszela, 89, of 2316 Graham Ave., New Castle, died the morning of April 17, 2009 in Presbyterian Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh.
Born January 8, 1920, in New Castle, to the late Joseph and Aniela Magusiak Koszela. Edward married the former Mary J. LaRitz. They were married on July 25, 1959, this summer would have been their 50th anniversary.
Edward retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in 1962 as a Highway Superintendent. He worked as an auto sales representative in Lawrence County until his retirement. Edward previously worked at the Shenango Pottery and Rockwell International as a machine operator.
Edward was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army, he was honorably discharged on October 16, 1945. He served as a Corporal with the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry. Edward was inducted on February 25, 1942, serving as a Toxic Gas Handler. He served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Marksman Rifle Badge. He also received four battle stars and Victory Medal for D-Day landing serving with the 8th Infantry Division.
Edward played basketball and baseball with the U.S. Army Corp Team while serving in the Army.
He was a graduate of New Castle High School 1938. Edward played basketball from 1937 to 1938. They were section champs in 1938. He made 1st team of Section 3 All-stars. Edward also played basketball for the Polish Falcons and baseball with the Slovak Club. He played on the championship baseball team for the Lawrence Indies.
Edward was a member of the Elks, Polish Falcons, AARP and Slovak Club. Edward was inducted into the Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 for his outstanding basketball contributions.
Edward enjoyed extensive traveling throughout Europe, Asia and South America with his wife.
Survivors include his wife, Mary J. Koszela; a brother, Albert "Al, Fritz" Koszela of New Castle; a sister, Jane Alexander of Dunkin Falls, OH; two sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, Grace and John Kennedy of New Castle and Bruno and Marian LaRitz of New Castle; numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, William Koszela, Stanley Koszela, Henry Koszela and Raymond Koszela; and one sister, Helen Gargasz.
Calling hours were 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the Noga Funeral Home, Inc. 1142 S. Mill St. New Castle, PA. A Vigil Service was conducted at 5 p.m. by the Very Rev. Marcel Pytlarz. The New Castle Area Honor Guard performed military rites at 5:45 p.m. at the funeral home.
A procession left the funeral home at 9:30 a.m., Monday for Holy Trinity Polish National Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Entombment was in the Slippery Rock Mausoleum, Ellwood City.