Richard Cherwinski

Richard Lawrence Cherwinski, age 88, died on Thursday, September 16, 2010, at Adirondack Medical Center, Uihlein, Lake Placid, NY. He was born February 18, 1922 in Scranton, PA, the son of William and Theodora (Pawlicki) Cherwinski. Richard was raised in Scranton, PA and graduated from Technical High School, he went on to attend Penn State University, the University of Scranton , the George Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., studying business and engineering. In 1941 he entered federal service with the Treasury Department in Washington, DC and later transferred to their Chicago office. In January 1943 he entered the U.S. Army during WWII serving in the European Theater of Operation until beinghonorably discharged in November 1945 as sgt. In February 1946 he started his career with theVeterans Administration where he held positions in property and purchasing at the sub-regional office in Scranton and the regional office, twice at Sunmount VA Hospital and Wilkes-Barre VA Hospitals. In 1964, he was appointed as Chief of Marketing (National Buying Division) at VA Center, Hines, Illinois purchasing drugs and medical equipment. Richard rose to the position of assistant chief supply division at the VAH, Excelsior Springs, MO. then to chief supply division at Poplar Bluff, MO. He also worked at Montrose V.A. Hospital in Montrose, NY. His last assignment was as Division Chief at the V.A. Hospital in Syracuse, NY where he retired in 1977 with 37 years government service. He received numerous commendations and awards. Richard and his wife Rose Marie returned to Tupper Lake, NY to the home they purchased in 1960 and enjoyed maintaining their Tree Farm for over25 years. He enjoyed gardening and watching wildlife, even saw a yellow cougar pass by the house. Richard enjoyed string orchestra music and sports. On September 11, 1948, he married the former Rose Marie Senich from Lenox, Pa., at St. Patrick's church in Nicholson, Pa. They were married 63 years. Mr. Cherwinski was the originator of the Tupper Lake National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) chapter and served as President for 13 years. While in Missouri, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary. For several years he volunteered driving cancer patients from Tupper Lake to Plattsburgh for treatments. Richard was known for his charming quick wit and sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Rose Marie, one sister Ramona Hughes and her husband Fred and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by one brother Chester and five sisters, Cecilia Cherwinski, Lucy Slominski, Felicia Maraski, Evelyn Chilewski and Florence Boland. Calling hours will be held on Monday September 20th from 3 to 5 pm at the Charles H. Litwin funeral home in Nicholson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patricks church in Nicholson. Burial will follow at St. Patricks cemetery. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider; Next Stop Tupper Lake , Tupper Lake Adult Center, or the American Cancer Society. Local arrangements are with the Stuart-Fortune-Keough funeral home in Tupper Lake. His wife Rose Marie resides at Will Rogers Retirement Community, 78 Will Rogers Drive., Apt. 305, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.