Thomas E. Kosciolek

     It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of a well-known and respected resident of Wilkes-Barre's Brookside neighborhood; a beloved brother, uncle, brother-in-law, pop, and cherished public servant.
     Mr. Thomas E. Kosciolek, 79, entered into eternal life the morning of Saturday, June 10th while in the care of Allied Services Hospice Center, Wilkes-Barre, following a recent illness with family at his side.
     Born on Sunday, November 3, 1946 in Wilkes-Barre, he was one of five children to the late Leo and Mary (Czapkinski) Kosciolek. Educated in the city schools, he was a graduate of both the former Saint Stanislaus Kotska Parochial School and the James M. Coughlin High School, Class of 1964.
     Following his education, Mr. Kosciolek proudly served our country during the Vietnam War with the United States Air Force, being deployed on several overseas assignments. He held the rank of Airman First Class at the time of his Honorable Discharge from military duties. This experience instilled in him a profound sense of duty and honor that he carried throughout his life.
     Upon his return stateside, he entered the workforce with the knowledge he gained in his service with the Air Force; being employed by the Pratt & Whitney Aerospace Corporation in East Hartford, Connecticut. It was here his duties included performing a number of experimental testing projects.
     He later returned home to his familial roots in Wilkes-Barre, taking employment with the City of Wilkes-Barre Bureau of    Fire. It would be here that his senses of bravery, dedication to service and public safety would shine. Mr. Kosciolek served the residents of Wilkes-Barre for twenty-seven years, being elevated to the position of Assistant Fire Chief at the time of his formal retirement. Additionally, he also held the distinction of becoming Wilkes-Barre's first Certified Emergency Medical Technician for the department.
     Devoted to his Roman Catholic faith, he held membership in Saints Peter & Paul Parish, Plains Township.
     In his spare time, he was an avid gardener, always sharing his abundance of seasonal crops with his neighbors and family. He also enjoyed golfing, camping, fishing, making homemade pickles, canning what he harvested and visiting the local casinos.  He was a member of several local social clubs and was a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan.
     Fraternally, he held membership in the International Association of Fire Fighters Local #104 of Wilkes-Barre.
     His family will especially miss his famous mushroom soup at Christmas Eve (Wigilia) dinner and his famous kielbasa which he shared with his fellow fire fighters.
     He was preceded in death by his brother, Stanley Kosciolek; Sisters, Florence (William) Burke; Ruth (Frank) Thomas and brother-in-law, Robert Palute.
     Left to cherish the memories they now keep of him are his sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Palute of Newark, DE; Sister-in-law, Mrs. Delores Kosciolek of Sterling, VA; Nieces and nephews including his caregiver, Karen Burke, Pittston Township, Diane Schneider, South Riding, VA, Lynn Tingle (Ash), Middletown, DE, Deb Ryen (Glen), Ridgewood, NJ.; Kenneth Burke, Pittston Township, Gary Kosciolek, Potomac Falls, VA, Rob Palute (Jen), Alexandria, VA, Steve Kosciolek, Washington, DC, and Dr. Greg Thomas (Daniela), Waverly Township. Also survived by Great Nieces Ella Tingle and Rowan Palute. Great Nephews Garrett Schneider (Desaraye), Asher Tingle, Markus Ryen, Anders Ryen, Raphael Thomas and Gabriel Thomas. Grandkids Zach Malachefski and Cameron Roth.
     Many thanks to various friends and neighbors for their loving support throughout his lifetime, especially this last year. Special thanks to Chris Hughes, Erica Nallon and Frank Roth.
     Tom's family would also like to gratefully acknowledge the medical staffs of the Wilkes-Barre Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton; Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center; the Riverstreet Manor and Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, one and all for the professional care they showed him and the family during his illness.
     In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations in Tom's memory would be appreciated to the charity of the donor's choosing.
     Funeral service for Chief Kosciolek will be conducted on Saturday, January 17th at 8:45 a.m. from the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, followed by his Funeral Mass at 9:30 in the Parish of Saints Peter & Paul 13 Hudson Road, Plains Township. The Reverend John C. Lambert, pastor, will serve as celebrant and homilist.
     Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Diocesan Roman Catholic Cemetery, 612 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming where military honors will be accorded by members of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Honor Guard.
     Relatives and friends may join the Kosciolek family for visitation and shared remembrances Friday evening from 5:00 until 7::00 p.m.
     Those who are unable to attend or would like to share online words of comfort or a fond memory of Tom with his family are encouraged to do so by visiting his memorial page at www.JohnVMorrisFuneralHome.com.

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