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September 1, 2009
Joseph J. Kotroski, 91, of Mountain Top, and formerly of Mocanaqua, died on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at the home of his daughter, with whom he had been staying.
Born in Mocanaqua on Oct. 9, 1917, he was a son of the late Helen and Konstany Kostick Kotroski. Until the eighth grade, he attended the former Polish school that was held in St. Mary’s Church, Mocanaqua. He graduated from the former Shickshinny High School.
He first worked for the former Glen Alden Coal Corporation in Mocanaqua, then for the former A.C. and F. plant in Berwick, then as a salesman for the former White Star Bakery of Shickshinny, and was last employed as a deputy treasurer of Luzerne County.
He served at various times as an auditor, supervisor and school director for Conyngham Township. Mr. Kotroski was a former Democratic Chairman of Luzerne County and was currently serving as a committeeman of Wright Township.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Mocanaqua, and of the Holy Name Society of the Church. He served as chairman of the homecoming picnic under the late Rev. A. B. Grauzlis.
He was a member and past president of Polish Falcons Nest 163 of Mocanaqua, a charter member of the Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company, a member of the Mocanaqua Sporting Club, a former member and past secretary of the Twin Cities Lions Club. He was a social member of the VFW post of Mocanaqua and the Mountain Top American Legion Post 781.
He belonged to a poker club and was an avid poker player. He also loved to hunt and fish. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Veronica Venit, who died Oct. 2, 1995; and a daughter, Joann H. Sutton, who died Sept. 19, 2004.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Surviving are his daughter, Janet Winckoski, and husband, Carl, with whom he resided; four grandchildren, Ned Sutton and his wife, Sally; Jolene Confer and her husband, Chris; Carl Winckoski and his wife, Sharon; and Samantha Moore and her husband, Jason; and five great-grandchildren, Sarah, Lindsay, Zachary, Morgan and Christopher.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. at Mayo Funeral Home Inc., 77 N. Main St., Shickshinny, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Mary’s Church, Mocanaqua, with his pastor, the Rev. Stephen Krawontka, as celebrant.
Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening, from 5 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 190 Welles St., Suite 118, Forty Fort, PA 18704. For additional information, or to send condolences, please visit www.mayofh.com.