Obituary of Richard John Pawelski

Richard John "Cadillac Jack" Pawelski, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 20. He was 77 years old. Richard was born November 16, 1939 in Goshen. He was the son of John Pawelski and Elenora Madura Pawelski. He is survived by his loving wife Grace at home; his son Christopher and his wife Eve of Florida, NY; his son Brian of Montgomery; his daughter Jennifer Van Fleet of Goshen; grandsons Ryan Van Fleet, Caleb Pawelski and Jonah Pawelski all of Florida, NY; his sister Clare Popiel and her husband, John of Wallkill; and several nieces and nephews. Richard was an active man his entire life. He was raised on the black dirt farm in the Pine Island region started in 1903 by his grandparents Franciszek Pawelski and Julianna Pawelski, Polish emigres to the U.S. As a young man he enjoyed being outdoors, trapping, hunting and fishing with his cousins and friends in the swamps and streams of Florida and Pine Island. He especially enjoyed ice fishing and made many friends over the years out on the ice of Wawayanda State Park Lake in N.J. And he always had "Just one more story" about the many fish he caught and the few big ones that got away. Richard was also known to be a very hard working man farming right to the end. He was happiest on his farm working, whether it was fixing machinery, plowing fields, or just one more "tam e nazad" (Polish for there and back) pulling weeds in the fields on his hands and knees. He would work from sun up to sun down as he would always say, "There is always something to do on the farm." Richard graduated from S.S. Seward Institute in Florida, N.Y. in 1958. In 1961 he joined the US Army and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany in the 24th Infantry Division. While there he took time to travel throughout Europe while on leave meeting people and making friends along the way. Upon his return home he went back to work with his father on the family farm. Then in 1964 at the Landmark Inn in Warwick he met the love of his life Grace Elaine Kurtz. They were married on October 16, 1965 and would faithfully remain together for the next 51 years, raising a family together on the little island off of Pulaski Highway. Richard was a very spiritual man who was fond of sharing biblical passages and thoughts with his neighbors and friends. Richard firmly held the belief in a resurrection hope and a paradise earth where he would be reunited with family and friends. To see videos of Richard in his prime see http://bit.ly/2nsZq1K & http://bit.ly/2nthqsx Visitation will be held from 4-8 on Friday March 24th at T.S. Purta Funeral Home in Florida, N.Y. 10921. A Memorial Service will be given 2:00PM Saturday March 25th at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 17 Ryerson Road, Warwick, N.Y. 10990. The family would like to thank all the members of the community as well as congregation members and friends who provided so much support and care as Richard was in hospice care at home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550 or The Florida Fire Department, P.O. Box 600, Florida, N.Y. 10921. To leave an online condolence or for directions go to www.purtafuneralhome.com