Richard J. Brzozowski

1929 - 2016

Richard J. "Bosco" Brzozowski, 86, of Lower Burrell, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 21, 2016, at UPMC St. Margaret, surrounded by his loving family. Bosco was born June 10, 1929, in Natrona, a son of late Victoria Zbieranowski and Chester Brzozowski. Bosco was employed by PPG and then was an electrician at Pullman Standard in the Tank Department, Butler, until the plant shut down. He then worked at Most Blessed Sacrament and St. Margaret Mary's churches. He was a member of St. Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church, New Kensington, where he was a past member and officer of the Holy Name Society. He also belonged to the American Legion Post 868 in Lower Burrell. He was in the Army, served in Korea during peacetime and was stationed also in California, where he played on the Army baseball league. Bosco loved to travel with his family and in a trailer he took them across the cost from Pennsylvania to California, New England and all Southern states with many stops along the way. He was a WPIAL umpire for more than 40 years and had the honor of receiving the PIAA Distinguished Service Award in 2000. Bosco was a Steelers season ticket holder for more than 25 years and never missed a home game. He also went to many playoff games and two Super Bowls in Tempe, Ariz., and Detroit. You would often sight his Steelers ambulance van that he proudly painted black and gold himself. Once asked what his greatest accomplishment was, he stated, "Being happily married for almost 60 years and raising our six children." He loved his family and carrying on family traditions such as wigilia, the polish Christmas Eve meal. Bosco loved life and any party and especially dancing polkas and the jitterbug. You could often find Bosco sitting in his lounger on the front porch waving to anyone passing by. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Helen "Betty" Brzozowski; three sons, Richard Brzozowski, Ronald Chester Brzozowski and Robert Brzozowski; three daughters, Donna Grimm (Kent), Deborah Askin (Albert) and Darla Middleby (Daniel); brothers, Leonard Brzozowski and Francis "Frank" Brzozowski (Donna); sister, Betty Ludwizack; grandchildren, Janel (Ian) Mcgruder, Daren Brzozowski, Richelle (Lawrence) DelVern, Marie Grimm, Shane Middleby and Laurel Middleby; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Devin and Gabriella McGruder, Vanessa and Dillon Delvern; sister-in-law, Catherine Brinsko; brothers-in-law, Bill (Connie) Brinsko and Fred Brinsko; along with many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Steven Brzozowski and Henry "Todd" Brzozowski; and sisters, Sophie Spycinski and Theresa Lewandowski.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the GIUNTA-BERTUCCI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1509 Fifth Ave., Arnold, JohnPaul Bertucci, owner/supervisor. Prayers of transfer will take place at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Lower Burrell.
To leave online condolences, visit www.giunta-bertucci.com.