Obituary of Richard T. Szal

Richard passed peacefully after a brief illness. He is remembered as a great family man, businessman, and proud veteran. Richard was a WWII veteran. He served in the Army’s 32nd Infantry, Red Arrow Division. He fought in New Guinea, Buna, and Leyte. While serving, he attained the rank of sergeant,earning the Bronze Star, Victory Medal/World War II, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, the American Theater Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, he married Florence Kotwicki and raised 5 children in the town of Eden. They were inseparable business partners until her death in 1992. Richard was a very successful businessman. He owned Szal’s IGA with his father, built and owned the Bell’s IGA in 1962, opened the Pub restaurant and tavern in 1962, opened the Eden Mini Mart in 1975, while being very active in various real estate purchases. Richard was also very active in many civic organizations. He was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Church, a 70 year member of American Legion Post 880, the VFW Post 8625, the Eden 39ers Social Club, an Eden Volunteer Firefighter, and a past Commander of the DAV, Chapter 177, Angola, NY. Richard is survived his children, Richard Jr., Dennis (Judy), Kenneth (Molly), Jeffrey (Kathleen), and Melissa (Donald) Weidner, 9 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his “Honeygirl”, Elaine Vidal.