Richard C. Markowski

Richard C. Markowski, 85 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 9, 2016 at UMass Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Richard and his wife Diane F. (Collins) Markowski had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 5, 2016. He is survived by two sons, Don S. Markowski of Worcester and Paul Roche and his wife Joyce of Holden; three daughters, Marianne F. (Peterson) Leblanc and her husband Larry of Wakefield, RI., Lorrie M. Carlson of Worcester and Jeanne Rafferty and her husband Richard Rafferty of Northborough; twelve beloved grandchildren, Ricky Renauld, Amy Conners and her husband James, Stephanie (Carlson) Miranda, Melanie Carlson, Alison and Kelley Roche, Jared Markowski, Stephen Markowski, Travis, Jack, Meredith and Mackenzie Rafferty; one great grandchild, Abby Renauld. He is predeceased by five brothers, Theodore, Edward, John, Billy and Vernon Markowski; four sisters, Helen Astukewicz, Rose, Stacia and Sophie Markowski; two nieces, Gloria Markowski and Joanne Auger; a nephew, Eddie Markowski. He has one surviving niece, Mary Ellen and her husband John and one surviving nephew, Bobby Jakubiak. Richard was born in Worcester, the son of Polish immigrants, Stephen and Helen (Jakubiak) Markowski. He graduated Worcester Boys Trade and later attended Mount San Antonio College. Richard was a sergeant in the United States Air Force serving his country during the Korean War in Naples, Italy. During his tour of duty, he coached in the Naples Area Armed Forces Basketball League. His team won the league championship with a 25-3 record and the post season playoff tournament championship. These victories led to the placing of three players on the league All Star Team. After being discharged from the Air Force, Richard worked as a steel worker for 27 years at Thompson Steel and Wire Company in Worcester. When that plant shut down, he became the store keeper for the City of Worcester Public Schools, a job he loved. In fact, the people there loved him so much that after his retirement, they gave him a part time job in the print shop, where he enjoyed working with many great people. He retired completely from the City in 2002. Richard was an active member of the Worcester Men of Song for 29 years. He was also a member of the Polish American Veterans, Vernon Hill’s American Legion Post 435 and the Polish Naturalization Club Inc. Richard loved to sing. He sang to everyone and everywhere he went. He even sang to the nurses in the hospital despite his condition. His twelve grandchildren were the apples of his eye and his favorite thing to do was to spend time with them. He was a very well loved man. Services for Richard will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a Mass at 10 a.m. at Saint John’s Church, 44 Temple St., Worcester. Burial with military funeral honors will follow at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon, MA. A period of calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 12th from 4-7 pm in the funeral home. The family would like to invite guests to meet at the Compass Tavern, 90 Harding Street, Worcester, MA from 7:00 p.m. for a party to celebrate “Jai Jai’s” life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Veterans, Inc., 69 Grove St, Worcester, MA 01605. To share your thoughts and memories of Richard, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.