August 2, 1952 - March 20, 2010
Robert C. “Bob” Witkowski, 57, of Ashley, PA, (formally of Wilkes-Barre) passed away on March 20, 2010, unexpectedly at his home.
Bob was born in Jersey City, NJ. He was the son of Charles and the late Florence H. Witkowski of Wood-Ridge, NJ. Bob was employed at the Salvation Army in Hanover Township, PA, and was the former owner of Gratefully Yours on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. He was a 1974 graduate of Kings College.
Bob was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church of Wyoming Valley in the Back Mountain area. He was actively involved in his community, and worked passionately over the last four decades for peace and justice issues. He was a long-time member and Steering Club member of the Interfaith Resource Center for Peace and Justice of Wilkes-Barre, PA. He also supported the Chickory House, a nonprofit folk music organization also in Wilkes-Barre, PA; Pennsylvanians Against the Death Penalty; Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern; Northeast Pennsylvania Folklore Society; and The War Resister’s League.
Bob was the father of two children, the late Kevin M. Witkowski of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Elizabeth-Ann “Beth-Ann” Witkowski, of Boston, MA. He also leaves Beth-Ann's husband, Jason Dorfman, of Boston, MA. Bob was the eldest of five siblings. Along with his father and daughter, he leaves his brother, Kenneth of Stockholm, NJ; sister Elaine Rutigliano, her husband Joseph, and their children, Joseph Jr., Melissa, Lisa, and Nicholas of Wood Ridge, NJ; brother Thomas and his partner Mark Davila of Arlington, MA; and brother James, his wife Susan, and their children Aminta and Shelby of Wood Ridge, NJ. He also has cousins in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to The Peace and Justice Center, 63 North Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702-1317 http://peaceandjusticecenter.com/
Funeral Services:
The viewing will be at the Lehman and Gregory Funeral Home at 281 Chapel St in Luzerne, PA, on Wednesday, March 24, from 1-3 pm and 5:30-9 pm. A service will be held on Thursday, March 25, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wyoming Valley, located at 20 Church Rd., Wyoming, PA, near the Francis Slocum Park entrance, at 10:30 am followed by a short prayer at the Memorial Shrine Cemetery.
Vigil:
There will be a candle light vigil on public square in Wilkes-Barre at 7:30pm tomorrow, Tuesday March 23rd in honor and celebration of the life of Bob Witkowski. This event is kindly being planned by friends of Bob's including his good and long time friend Jim Spock. We welcome all those who would like to honor Bob to attend. Please bring a candle and join us.
This post will be updated with more information as it comes, so please check back. The obituary will be in local papers in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Bergen County, NJ, tomorrow, Tuesday the 23rd.
Memorial Services and Burying of Ashes:
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Bob's life on May 22nd, at noon, at the Memorial Shrine Cemetery on 8th St in Wyoming near Francis Slocum State Park. At that time, Bob's ashes will be buried near his son Kevin's grave. The event will be grave side weather permitting. If you would like to contribute any words, thoughts, or songs at the time of the memorial and celebration, please let us know. You can contact Bob's daughter, Beth-Ann directly or through the contact section of this website.
Thank you
Thank you for all the support and kindness, and the contributions made in Bob's name to the Peace Center and other organizations. Bob would be happy to know, that although he is not here to do the work directly, that so many of you have supported it. Thank you not only for the financial contributions, but also to those of you who continue the work of peace and justice in so many ways.
