JOHN KOLOSKIE, JR. PASSES AWAY

 

John Koloskie, Jr. – Uncle Junior – passed away Wednesday, October 13 in Malta, New York.

 

Junior was featured in an October 1 article in this Monongah High alumni blog as being among the oldest living Lions.

 

He was 95.

 

That means Mary Catania Heywood of Covina, California and Ann DeMary Eates of Monongah, both in the Class of 1945, become the fourth-oldest Monongah High alumni behind #1 Amelia Shenasky Zentz, Class of 1938, who lives in Monongah, #2 Jeanette Barr Baczuk, Class of 1940, who lives in Ashland, Ohio, and #3 Kathren Herndon Loss, Class of 1942, usually the oldest graduate at the annual Monongah High Alumni Banquets. 

 

Uncle Junior was the widow of Julia Monell Koloskie, Class of 1944. Julia’s brother was Raymond “Soak” Monell, whose widow is Elaine Hewitt Monell, Class of 1949, of the Dayton, Ohio suburb of Riverside.

 

 

Their son is Jerry Koloski, Class of 1974, deputy athletic director at the University of Albany in New York and University of Las Vegas in Colorado.

 

Jerry posted:

 

Grandfather, Uncle and friend too many. Living away from our parents for many years did not allow for a lot of time together but having my Dad live with us for the past 6 years here in upstate New York was a blessing. Of course he would always tell everyone he liked it "but it ain't Monongah". He was always my biggest supporter and until the end still enjoyed his sports. Rest on Peace Dad and give Mom a big kiss for me. Love always.

 

“Uncle Junior” is the character played by Dominic Chianese in “The Sopranos” TV series.

 

Junior’s obituary:

 

John Koloskie Jr., 95, of Monongah, passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Malta, New York.

 

He was born June 5, 1926 in Monongah, the son of the late John and Celia (Mikulski) Koloskie.

 

After graduating from Monongah High School in 1944, John enlisted in the Navy and served his country during World War II.

 

After returning, John married Julia Monell and the two of them spent 66 years together in Monongah before Julia’s death in 2013. 

Later, a more expansive obituary was posted:

John Koloskie Jr., 95, of Monongah, passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Malta, New York.  He was born June 5, 1926 in Monongah, the son of the late John and Celia (Mikulski) Koloskie.

After graduating from Monongah High School in 1944, John enlisted in the Navy and served his country during World War II.  After returning, John married Julia Monell and the two of them spent 66 years together in Monongah before Julia’s death in 2013.  In his early years during the big band era, John enjoyed playing the saxophone and clarinet on weekends with orchestras and was employed as a mechanic for Tarleton Buick in Fairmont.  John was a big fan of the WVU Mountaineers, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates.  John retired from Consolidated Coal Company at Loveridge Mine in 1987. 

After retiring, John enjoyed golfing daily at Green Hills Country Club through his 87th birthday and enjoyed spending time with family and watching more sports.  John spent his final six years living with his son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Annette Koloskie in Saratoga Springs, NY.

John is survived by his son, Jerry Koloskie and his wife Annette; his grandchildren, John Koloskie, James Koloskie and Megan Koloskie, great granddaughters, Kaydence Koloskie-Phelps and Charlotte Koloskie.  Also surviving is his sister-in-law Elaine Monell of Dayton, Ohio, nieces, Cindy (Bob) Summers of Dayton, Ohio, and Valerie (Bob) Zack of Dayton, Ohio, and nephews, Ray (Mindy) Monell of Beaver Creek, Ohio and Mark (Sarah) Monell of Nicholsville, Ky.

In addition to his parents and his wife, John was preceded in death by sister-in-law Lydia Monell and a brother-in-law Raymond Monell.

Friends may call at Ross Funeral Home, 801 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, on Sunday October 24, 2021 from 4-8:00 P.M.  The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah with Fr. Jojan Joseph, CST as celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Monongah.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rossfh.com.