Obituary of Rudolph "Rudy" Poczak

Rudolph "Rudy" Poczak Former commander of South Plainfield VFW # 6763 South Plainfield - Rudolph " Rudy" Poczak, 76, died on Tuesday December 23, 2008 at JFK Medical Center in Edison with his family at his side. Born in Freemansburg, PA, Rudy lived in Bethlehem and had worked for Bethlehem Steel before relocating to NJ. He resided in Elizabeth for a short time before settling to South Plainfield in 1962. He was a veteran of the United States Air force, serving as a staff sergeant during the Korean Conflict as a flight engineer with the 37th Bomber Squadron before being honorably discharged in 1956. Rudy initial began his career in the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier and later as a clerk before his retirement. He was also active with the Postal Workers Union and served as Shop Stewart and was the V. P. and Local Business Agent for the N.J. Mid State Area Local in Watchung. As a active member of the South Plainfield Veteran of Foreign Wars Memorial Post # 6763, Rudy served with the utmost dedication to the post for many years. He held various positions including, Commander, Vice Commander and Bar Chairman. In addition, he was a communicant of Sacred Heart RC Church, a former coach with the South Plainfield Junior Baseball Club and enjoyed spending time golfing and being an avid N.Y. Jet fan. Rudy is predeceased by his parents and his 10 siblings. Parents, Louis & Theresa, three sisters, Goldie Hartzell, Mary Mann and Theresa Poczak, and seven brothers, Louis, Alex, Bill, Russell, Allen, Danas & Frank. Surviving are his beloved wife, Marlene (Mitchell), his son, Allen and his fiancé, Linda McCaffrey of South Plainfield and his brother, Zoltan of Bethlehem, PA.. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews extended family members and friends. Funeral services will be held on Monday December 29, 2008 at 9:15 AM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 followed by a 10:00 AM funeral mass in Sacred Heart RC Church, South Plainfield. Interment will follow in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2008 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers , donations in his memory may be made to the "VFW Cooties" C/O the S.P. VFW, 155 Front Street, South Plainfield, NJ 07080