Richard S. (Gus) Gozelanczyk, age 89, N. Richmond Rd., Pierpont Twp., died Monday evening at the Symphony of Mentor (formerly Kemper House).

He was born May 28, 1928 in Slickville, PA, the son of Steve & Mary (Helinski) Gozelanczyk and has resided in Pierpont Twp. the past 50 years, coming from Lakewood.  Mr. Gozelanczyk was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving in World War II.  He was married to Gizella I. Teller on May 5, 1951 in Cleveland.

Mr. Gozelanczyk was a 1992 retired tool and die maker from the General Electric Corp. in Cleveland.  Gus was Troop 4 Scout Master in Lakewood when his sons were involved in Boy Scouts.  After retirement, he and his wife traveled and camped throughout the United States.  He enjoyed farming, sailing, taking rides and exploring new roads, four wheeling and swimming.  His greatest enjoyment was his grandchildren.

After he retired, my grandfather loved to spend time in his cluttered workshop.  This made my grandmother very happy, as she loved to have Grandpa out of the house because he tended to get underfoot.  Grandpa had a tendency to try to “help” to much, and this drove some people, like Grandma, crazy.  He says that all Gozelanczyk’s have been blessed with to much “creative energy”, whatever that is.

Grandpa was a tall, thin man who sometimes wore strange color combinations.  This is because he was color-blind and everything looked to him like it matched.  Although he was 70 years old at the time, most people had a hard time trying to keep up with him.  His huge hands were dry and full of wrinkles, but his arms were muscular from all of the hours he had spent cutting wood and bringing in hay for the animals.  He said a good day’s work keeps a man honest.

Hard work has always been a part of his life.  In the poor coal mining town where he grew up, everyone was expected to help out.  When he was eight years old, Grandpa’s job was to collect pieces of coal which had fallen off the passing trains, load them into pails and carry them back home.  Because of his hard work, his family was able to heat their home all through the harsh winters.

Although Grandpa worked hard, he also played hard.  He drove his four-wheelers too fast and did great dives off the high-dive platform he built for his pond.  He loved driving his pick-up along seldom used roads just to see where they went.  Sometimes they led to trouble, as more than once he got stuck somewhere.  Grandpa did not mind because he said life was an adventure and people shouldn’t be afraid to explore new paths.

When some people looked at our grandfather, they saw only an old man.  When we looked at him, we could only see a very, very old teenager.

Survivors include four children, Richard S. (Bonnie) Gozelanczyk of Geneva, Karen G. Chandell of Jefferson, Michael B. (Laura) Gozelanczyk of Chagrin Falls & Gregory R. (Debbie) Gozelanczyk of Port Charlotte, FL, five grandchildren and three brothers, Milt Gozelanczyk of Brecksville, Steve (Kathie) Gozelanczyk of Cuyahoga Falls & Donald Gozelanczyk of Chambersburg, PA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Gizella in 2016 and five siblings, Ted, Joe, Edward, Wanda & JoAnn.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date to be held on the family farm in Pierpont Twp.  Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, OH  44004.  The Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, Jefferson, Ashtabula & Geneva are honored to serve the Richard Gozelanczyk family.  Visit fleming-billman.com to view obituary, express condolences or light a candle.

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