Richard E. Stencik, 78 of Plains Township passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 14, 2022.

He was the son of the late John J. and Alice (Zalewski) Stencik of Plains Township.  Rich graduated in 1961 from James M. Coughlin High School in Wilkes-Barre.  He then served during the Vietnam War era in the United States Coast Guard.  He worked as a guard for the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institute Dallas, PA for twenty-three years and was active member of SS Peter and Paul Church in Plains since childhood.

Rich was an avid golfer and longtime member of Hollenback Golf Club in Wilkes-Barre winning multiple club championships and a senior club championship as well as competing in the former Luzerne-Lackawanna Counties Commissioners Cup tournaments.  He registered the first hole-in-one ever made on the then par 4, 290 yard ninth hole at Hollenback in 1963 with his driver.

Richard is survived by his wife and companion of 53 years, Mary Ann (Janiszewski) Stencik; children, Lisa (Rick) Baron, Mark (Katie) Stencik; siblings Mary Ann (Albert) Kuba, Joseph (Joan) Stencik, Rosemarie (Patrick) Heagerty; and his three grandchildren, Amethyst and Milena Stencik and Hope Baron. He was preceded in death by siblings John Stencik and Theresa Poplasky.

A funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday from Yeosock Funeral Home, 40 S. Main St., Plains Twp., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Twp. with interment immediately following in Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited for a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Funeral Home.