Edward I. Koczela, 83

ADAMS, Mass. — Mr. Edward I. Koczela, 83, of Adams died on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, after a short illness.

Born in Adams on January 18, 1935, he was the son of the late Ignacy and Mary (Boryczka) Koczela. After attending schools in Adams, he graduated from Drury High School where he was the Senior Class Vice President. Mr. Koczela worked as a design draftsman at General Electric Co., and later Lockheed-Martin, Pittsfield, until retiring.

Ed was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams. As a former school committee member for the Adams Cheshire Regional School District, he served on the building committee for Hoosac Valley High School.   He also served as the scoutmaster for Troop 56, Adams. During his tenure Ed received the St. George Emblem from The National Catholic Committee on Scouting awarded to those who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in Scouting.

He enjoyed bird watching, gardening and fly fishing.

He is survived by his wife, the former Ruby Ann Strzepek, with whom he would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on November 12; daughter Sue McFarland and husband Jeffrey Conway; three sons, Alan Koczela and wife Aminasahra of Baltimore, Md., Brian Koczela and wife Ann of Windsor and Jason Koczela of Somerville; one brother, Joseph Koczela and wife Beverly of Adams; seven grandchildren, Liam, Paige, Jillian, Sadie and husband Richard, Seth, Cajabo and Dige; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers, Thaddeus, Stephen, Paul, Fred, Frank and Stanley Koczela; and by a sister, Stephanie.

Funeral notice: The funeral will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. from the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at noon in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Adams.

Calling hours are Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. The family requests the omission of flowers and suggests memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the Deerfield River Watershed Trout Unlimited, PO Box 133, Shelburne Falls MA 01370 or to a charity of the donor's choice.