Ralph F. Oshinski

Ralph Francis Oshinski, age 90, of Lawrenceville, GA, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025. He was predeceased by his mother, Martha Oshinski Berg, his father, Frank Oshinski, widower of the late N. Joan Oshinski, his wife of 52 years and his daughter, Marcia Oshinski. He is survived by his sister, Joyce (Sandy) Catalino of South Bend, IN; his brother, Tim (Shirley) Oshinski of South Bend, IN; his children, daughter, Cheryl Stewart of Lawrenceville, GA; sons, Kevin Oshinski of Buford, GA, Steven (Stacy) Oshinski of Ponce Inlet, FL, David (Dana) Oshinski of Suwanee, GA, Dennis Oshinski of Buford, GA; his 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
He was born and raised in South Bend, IN where he embraced his family's Polish traditions and attended catholic schools. During high school, he developed an interest in photography and worked in a camera store as well as tended the soda counter at the local pharmacy. After graduating from Central Catholic High School, he worked on the assembly line at Studebaker while attending night school at South Bend College of Commerce and joined the U.S. Army Reserve. He married his wife, Joan, in May, 1955. Starting with part-time clerical work at an auto dealer, he honed his accounting and auditing skills to be offered an office manager job with a Studebaker dealer in Mishawaka, IN and then, a Buick dealer in Goshin, IN.
He took an auditor job with Clark Equipment, known for forklifts, in Battle Creek, MI. In the late 1960's, he loaded up the Studebaker with his wife and five kids to relocate to Decatur, GA to run the Atlanta branch as General Manager. As the business thrived, he teamed up with a partner to acquire the franchise, rename it Clarklift of Atlanta and expand to other cities in Georgia.
Throughout his life, he was an active parishioner in the catholic church and applied his talents in various roles including bookkeeper, parish council, new building fundraiser and received 4th degree honors in the Knights of Columbus. He also accepted leadership roles with his children's activities including youth sports, scouts, and band. His retirement did not slow things down as he was a constant volunteer at church and the social hall for year-round events as well as served as an officer with the Knights of Columbus.
He was always generous with his time, talents and treasures. He helped many in need including being the primary care giver for his mother-in-law and wife. He will be deeply missed by all the lives he touched.
The funeral mass to celebrate the life of Ralph Oshinski will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Lilburn, GA. A private entombment will be at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, GA. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary service beginning at 7:30 PM at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, Snellville, GA.. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to either Saint Vincent de Paul (www.ssvpusa.org) or Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association www.cmtausa.org.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, A Family Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ralph, please visit our Tree Store.