Richard A. Evanoski, 79, a resident of Swoyersville, passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife, Betsy, on Friday evening, August 12, 2022, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township. Rich passed from complications from chemotherapy and COPD.

Rich and his wife, Betsy, would have celebrated their 59^th wedding anniversary on September 28^th.

Born on June 05, 1943, in Swoyersville, Richard was one of three sons born to the late William S. Evanoski Sr. and Helen C. Mizak Evanoski.

Rich was a graduate of the former West Side Central Catholic High School, Class of 1961, and attended Luzerne County Community College, where he studied Marketing and Real Estate.

Prior to his retirement from Commonwealth Telephone Company in Dallas, Rich was employed as a lineman and, later, as a business systems technician. While at Commonwealth, he served as President of their union, Communication Workers of America, Local 13571, for 20 years. After retiring, he worked for an additional 20 years for his friend, John Yarosz, at his company, Varsity Landscaping, Swoyersville.

Rich was a member of Holy Trinity Church, now Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion at the Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville.

Like his father, Rich loved the outdoors and, for decades, could be found on his property in Colley Township near Dushore.  He was also an avid reader and was on a “first name basis” with John and the staff at the Wyoming Free Library in Wyoming. In his earlier years, he was a watercraft enthusiast, as well as a classic car collector with his good friend, the late Bob Hagen.

A man of simple pleasures, Rich enjoyed meals at home; watching the sun go down while sitting in his garage; and watching Sunday night football with his wife, Betsy. He always lived by the motto he often shared with his family, “what everyone else has, we don’t need it!”

In addition to his parents, William and Helen Evanoski, Rich was preceded in death by his brothers, baby William S. “Billy” Evanoski Jr. and Andrew J. Evanoski Sr.

He leaves behind his cherished family, his wife, Betsy; his sons, Rick Evanoski and his wife, Leah; and Mike Evanoski; his granddaughter, Margaret Evanoski and his great-grandson, Julian Evanoski.

Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Deborah Evanoski and Mary Lewis; as well as his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rich’s family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors and nurses from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for their extraordinary care for Rich, as well as Dr. James Galasso and his caring staff for guiding Rich and his family through this most difficult time. They wish to also extend their sincerest gratitude to Father Joseph J. Pisaneschi, Father Anthony M. Urban, and the Chaplain at Geisinger for their spiritual guidance to ensure Rich made it “HOME.”

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Richard’s viewing which will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022, from 9:45 to 10:45 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

To send the Evanoski Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Rich had requested that floral tributes be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, PA 18704.

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