Obituary for EUGENE TARAS

Eugene “Gene” Taras Eugene “Gene” Taras, 93, loving father, grandfather, and long-time resident of Lower Alsace Township, passed away peacefully in the loving embrace of his family on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Gene was predeceased by his polka partner and wife of 41 years, Dolores V. (Klosowski) Taras. Born in Northampton, PA, he was a son of the late Wasyl and Anna (Wicinski) Taras. Gene is survived by his daughter Kathy (Taras); his step-daughter Mary (Kowalski) wife of Chris Mazurek, of Rockland Township, and his step-sons; Edward P. Kowalski, of St. Pete Beach, FL, Thomas L. husband of Donna (Oese) Kowalski, of Spring Township, Robert F. husband of Wendy (Sweitzer) Kowalski, of Alsace Township and Michael A. Kowalski, of Lower Alsace Township. Also surviving are his grandchildren; Lisa Kowalski, Sherry (Kowalski) Schuetrumpf, Alyssa (Oese) Galan, Alanna Oese, Katie Kowalski, Robert Kowalski, Jr., Jason Fick, Brian Fick, Pol, Yul, Del and Adrian Heiney. Gene is also survived by his great-grandchildren; Ryan Schuetrumpf, Allison Schuetrumpf, Benjamin Kowalski, and Miles and Alexis and Davin Fick. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Gene was predeceased by his brother Russel, and his sisters, Helen, Stella, Susie, Olga, Elizabeth, Genevieve and RoseMarie. Gene was a 1946 graduate of Reading High School. He was a proud World War II veteran who served in the United States Army, 325th Infantry Division. Gene was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Reading. He was employed by the former Continental Can Corp., then Sonoco Corp. for 42 years until his retirement in 1990. Gene was a member of the Ukrainian-American Club, Reading. He was an avid gardener, woodworker and handyman. Gene was gifted musically and taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica simultaneously. Gene loved to polka dance with Dolores and was nicknamed “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine”. Their favorite pastime was attending Polka dances and Polish picnics and listening to the Sunday Polka show. Gene adored his “polka dynamite” bride until he took his very last breath. He spent every day of their lives together making sure she knew how much love he had in his heart for her and the entire family. Gene will be dearly missed by his family and by those who were fortunate enough to know him. Relatives and friends may extend their sympathy and respects to the family on Sunday December 5, 2021 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Kopicki-Bradley Funeral Home, Inc., 239 South Ninth Street Reading PA 19602 and on Monday December 6, 2021 from 9:00am to 10:00am at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church 250 South Twelfth Street Reading PA 19602. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Mary R. C. Cemetery, Reading. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Dayspring Homes, 430 Hazel Street Reading PA 19611 in memory of Mr. Eugene “Gene” Taras.