Richard Ranski

Richard Ranski, of Lake Ariel, passed away peacefully on Sunday March 8, 2026 in the Wayne Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was surrounded by the love of his family. His wife was the former Joan Mary Kozak Ranski who passed away in 2023. At the time of her passing the couple had been married 59 years, but Rich loved to say it was 60.
Born in Bayonne, NJ, he was the son of the late Chester and Mary Ranski. He was a graduate of Linden High School. Following graduation, he earned his Bachelor of Science from Seton Hall University. He was also a member of the ROTC program at Seton Hall. Prior to retirment, he was the Narcotics Division Manager at James Wholesale Drug in Rahway, NJ for the majority of his career. Then left to manage other pharmaceutical retail stores.
To know Richard was to know an eclectic personality. He enjoyed listening to music from reggae to Dean Martin. He was a person with energy, positivity, determination, and curiosity. To his wife, he was a loving romantic. She loved his blue eyes! He was a protector of and inspiration to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and even while missing the love of this life, his wife Button, he managed to smile, tell a joke and reach out to check on others. He made an impression wherever he went because of his sweet and kind sincerity. Richard loved books, learning, and his B & B or a martini, dry with a twist. He was very creative and regaled his children with Tinker Tales on Mondays so that they would start the week off with a smile. Tinker, his blonde cat, delighted him and shared his teasing nature. Richard loved to share his words of wisdom, to offer inspiration, and to serve as a role model to his family. His children grew up listening to those words and have passed down much, but one that stands out is his advice to "Use Your Head!" As was recently shared with his children from a kind pastor, "Richard has left a 'rich' legacy!"
Survived by his daughters Loretta Radulic and her husband Dennis of Lavallette, NJ, and June Sagi and her husband Zoltan of Byram, NJ.; a son Duane Ranski and his wife Deborah of Pine, Colorado; grandchildren Brittany Saccento and her husband Garrin, Alexis Bartlett and her husband Andrew, Samantha Williams and her husband Nicholas, Sabrina Borges and her husband Michael, Skyler Sagi and her fiance Michael Romano, Trevor Ranski, and Austin Ranski and his wife Yarhley; great grandchildren Zachary, Anthony, and Olivia Saccento, Benjamin and Nathan Williams; Michael Borges, Nora Ranski, along with soon-to-be additions to his family, child of Alexis and Andrew Bartlett and child of Samantha and Nicholas Williams.
He was preceded in death by his grandson Cameron Radulic; sister Diana Baeltram; brother Thomas Ranski.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 12th from 4:00pm - 7:00pm in the James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel, PA 18436.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, March 13th at 10:30am at St. Mary's Church, 334 St. Mary Church Road, Lake Arial, PA 18436, officiated by Rev. Stephen Bosomofai, Pastor.
Private cremation to follow at Lake Region Crematory in the James Wilson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard's memory may be made to: St Thomas More / St. Mary's Parish Community, PO Box 188, Lake Ariel, Pa 18436.
For directions, to share a memory, or to leave a condolence for the family please visit jamesfamilyfunerals.com