Edward “Chuck” Koscielney, 98, of Rayland, Ohio, passed away, his way, at home, surrounded by his loved ones on May 12, 2021 at 23:23 in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Rosary will be held from 3:30pm-5:30pm on Monday, May 17, 2021 in the Chapel of Evergreen Cemetery located at 4535 North Main Street, Jacksonville FL, 32206.
In consideration of Chuck’s memorable history with the church upon his relocation to Jacksonville in the 1950s, the Funeral Mass will be held at 10am on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Historic Church located at 4214 Loretto Road, Jacksonville FL 32223. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Historic Church Cemetery. Arrangements are by Evergreen Cemetery, Funeral Home & Crematory.
Chuck was born in Rayland, Ohio to proud Polish, Catholic immigrants, Frank and Anna Jankowski Koscielney, on March 24, 1923. He attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he was the wrestling team student manager following his graduation from Warren Consolidated High School in Rayland. Married three times, he first married Susie Koscielney, née Fetty on January 17, 1948 in Tuscan, Arizona; Lanette Koscielney, née Johns in July 1964; and Elizabeth Annette Koscielney, née Howard, on January 15, 1977 in Jacksonville, Florida.
He worked as a general contractor, and was the construction superintendent for his own company, Koscielney Construction, for over 40 years; until he retired on March 24, 1988. He served in World War II in the Merchant Marines of the United States Coast Guard. As child of Polish immigrants, his first and only tongue was Polish until the age of 8 years old when he became bilingual. He was, along with his late brother Stanley, a long time member of the Polish-American Club in Jacksonville, and a regular attendee of casinos and dog tracks all over America. He was well traveled both domestically and internationally, all the way to the very end. He equally enjoyed both the fine arts—polka music especially, and sports.
Any and everyone who knew Chuck well knew the most important thing in his world was his family. He was also a lighthearted man and a talker. If he wasn’t telling you about his love for pretty women, he was probably telling you about the various buildings he built around town and the country, or about his homeopathic and organic lifestyle. A decision he wholeheartedly embraced after meeting the man he affectionally referred to as “the Doc.” A decision, that along with his genetics, likely contributed to him making it two years shy of his goal of 100 years old.
Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Koscielney; his older siblings, Stanley Koscielney and Anne Koscielney-Valenti; his eldest son, Robert “Bob” Koscielney, Sr.; and his grandchild Michael David Howard II.
Chuck is survived by his former wife and the mother of his three youngest children, Elizabeth Annette Koscielney; his daughter-in-law, Barbara Koscielney; his eldest daughter, Carol Lewis; his second son, Michael Howard I and his fiancée Raquel Clark; and his youngest daughter Anna Gilbert and her husband Kenneth Gilbert; his grandchildren, Robert “Bobby” Koscielney Jr. and his wife Melissa Holder-Koscielney; and Teresa Koscielney-Jones and her husband Joel Jones; Clarence “Douglas” Golden II; Charles “Marcus” Golden; Dominic Mitchell; Monica Mitchell; Zachery Howard; Jaryne Joyner; and Mya Howard; his great grandchildren, Brittany Birsner; Savannah Koscielney; Christian Koscielney and Eian Pacheco; his great-great grandchildren; Dominic Birsner and Rayden Lee; his nieces and nephews, Larry Valenti and his wife Pat Valenti; Carolyn Galante and her husband Nicholas Galante; and Christine Koscielney. As well as so many other loving family members and dear friends.
Pallbearers will be Anna Gilbert, Dominic Mitchell, Douglas Golden, Kenneth Gilbert, Marcus Golden, Michael Howard, Robert “Bobby” Koscielney Jr, and Zachery Howard.
A repast will be held after the funeral mass at Silkie’s Chicken and Champagne Bar located at 1602 Walnut Street, Jacksonville FL, 32206.
The family of Chuck wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr.’s Salvatore DiLoreto, David Sutton, and Jennifer Fulton; nurses Kristen and Brooke; respiratory therapist Johnita; the rest of the amazing unnamed staff who rendered care during his final hours; Vitas Hospice; his caretakers Ms. Evelyn Robinson and Ms. Patrica Boyd; Jameelah Dominguez; Evergreen Cemetery, Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; and all other loved ones who were with him in his final moments.
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