Richard Zula Sr.

Richard Zula Sr., 66, of Buck Run, Foster Township, passed away Sunday morning at home.

Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Richard and Patricia Williams Zula.

He was a 1967 graduate of Minersville High School. He was a proud partner of Novack & Zula Contracting for more than 30 years with Vic Novack, retiring in 2010.

He served as township supervisor in Foster Township for 29 years, most of which he held the position of chairman. Rich was often heard talking about Foster Township and how he was so proud of the small community. He took pride in ensuring that all of the community members were always well taken care of. He was a member of the Schuylkill County Tax Assessment Appeals Board and a former member of the Schuylkill County Airport Authority. He also served as a member of SEDCO, representing Foster Township, which is responsible for bringing Highridge Business Park to the area.

Rich was a member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, Minersville. He was also a member of the Mount Pleasant Fire Company and South Cass Citizens Fire Company. He served as past president of the Minersville Fifth Quarter Club and a past coach and treasurer of the Minersville Little League Association. Rich was also District 24 Volunteer of the Year for Little League baseball in 1997.

When not taking care of Foster Township or the people's houses he worked at, he will always be remembered for making sure everyone knew about the next event at Mount Pleasant Hose Company, then greeting everyone in attendance throughout the night.

Even more to his dedication to his community and career, Rich will most be remembered for his pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Rich could often be found any of his grandkids' events or sitting at one of his children's houses in Buck Run.

But his love of family would not have been possible without his wife of 48 years, the former Joanne Zitka. From their first meeting at a Little League game in grade school, through their first date at Globe Hall, Rich and Joanne were rarely seen apart.

In addition to Joanne, Rich is survived by five children, all of whom reside in Buck Run, Richard Zula Jr. (spouse, Melissa), Joseph Zula (spouse, Kim), Lori Motley (spouse, William), Lisa Conville (spouse, Francis) and David Zula; 10 grandchildren, Rachael and Lauren Zula, Emily, Sabrina and Madison Zula, Sara and Paul Motley, Nikki and Cory Conville and Rebecca Zula. He is also survived by two sisters, Patricia Kopinetz, Forestville, and Rose Ann Warhola, Buck Run; nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call from 6 p.m. Friday and from 6 to 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury St., Minersville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, 135 Spruce St., Minersville. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Kostka No. 2 Cemetery, Branch Township. The family prefers contributions to Mount Pleasant Hose Company. Visit www.dutcavich.com.

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