Richard T. Zalewski, 86, of Erie, passed away on Monday July 6, 2015 at St. Mary's Home East following a lengthy illness. He was born in Erie on September 14, 1928 a son of the late Alex and Sophie Pryzician Zalewski.
Richard was a 1947 graduate of Erie Tech and went on to work at Lovell's Manufacturing Co. for 13 years. Most recently he worked at Finish Engineering as a supervisor of welding and fabrication for 28 years before retiring in 1993. He was a founding member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, the Siebenbuerger Club and a founding member of the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club. He enjoyed wintering in Florida, camping, snowmobiling, sailing and traveling.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his grandson, Ryan Zalewski; his brother who helped build Richard's house, Albert Zalewski; and one sister, Frances Bargielski.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Donna Orloff Zalewski; three sons, Richard Zalewski of Riverside, CA, Carl Zalewski and his wife Patricia of Erie and Michael Zalewski and his wife Cynithia of Erie; one daughter, JoAnn Kay; four grandchildren, Brian Zalewski and his wife Brenda of California, Kiara Nelson and her husband Floyd of California, Chad Zalewski of Erie and Anna Zalewski (Ben Woodard) of North Carolina; one great granddaughter, Esme`; two step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren, all of Canada; two brothers, Raymond and Harry Zalewski, both of Erie; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to a prayer service there on Friday at 12:45 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church at 1:30 p.m.. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.
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