Robert Joseph Polachek Sr.

May 20, 2012

Robert Joseph Polachek, Sr., 79, of Plains Township, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2012, surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren following a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He is survived by his loving wife, Theresa Rakowski Polachek (Rocki), who was at his side for 47 years. Born in Wilkes-Barre on August 7, 1932, Bob was a son of the late Joseph Polachek and Helen (Kraynanski) Zeldenrust. Following his graduation from James M. Coughlin High School, Bob held several positions before becoming a school bus driver at Williams Bus Line. He retired in 2005 after 32 years of services to Williams Bus Line. A man of few words, Bob rarely complained and lived a complete life, always enjoying his family and a good game of cards. As a result, he will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, family and his countless friends. Bob's kind demeanor, genuine humbleness and his ability to endure all that life gave him was what defined him as a truly good man. In his better days, Bob was known for his quick step and quest for simple pleasures like a game of golf, a hand of cards or watching a rerun of "M*A*S*H*." He was an avid high school sports fan, driving the students of Wilkes-Barre Area to hundreds of sporting events over the years. Bob's genuine love for life was evident in everything he did and was only overshadowed by his love for his wife, his children, 16 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, his family, and many friends. In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his six children: Robert Polachek, Kingston; Richard Polachek, Esquire, and his wife, Colleen, Moosic; Chris Polachek and his wife, Brenda, Saint Joseph, Mo.; Jay Polachek and his wife, Paula, Hanover Township; Judge Tina Polachek Gartley and her husband, Scott Gartley, Esquire, Plains Township; Deborah Egidio and her husband, Dr. Anthony Egidio, Plains Township; 16 grandchildren, Bobby, Caroline, Julianne and Danny Polachek, Kingston; Marina Polachek, Moosic; Shawn Polachek, Saint Joseph, Mo.; Senior Airman Steven Polachek and his wife, Danielle, Altus, Okla; Sarah Polachek, Colo.; Marissa and Kelsey Polachek, Hanover Township; Shamus, Joshua and Ian Gartley, Plains Township; Tony, Matthew and Joseph Egidio, Plains, and two great grandchildren; Steven and Charleigh Polachek, Saint Joseph, Mo.; brother Richard Polachek and his wife, Nancy, Syracuse, N.Y., and sister Carol Graff and her husband, Bob, Duryea. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in Saint Benedict's Parish, 155 Austin Ave., Wilkes-Barre. Friends are invited to go directly to church on Thursday. Interment will be held in St. Mary's of the Maternity Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call today from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 S Main St., Plains Township, PA 18705. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's memory may be made to St. Luke's Villa 80 E Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Online condolences may be made at www.corcoranfuneralhome.com .