Westfield – Richard G. Kousch, 92, passed away peacefully at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke on Saturday, April 4. He was a lifelong Westfield resident, born on February 7, 1923, the son of the late John and Anna (Kulakowska) Kousch. He attended local schools and was a graduate of Westfield Trade School in 1940. He joined the U.S. Navy during WWII entering his term of service at the Brooklyn Navy Ship Yard. He was stationed on the Destroyer USS Rhino convoy patrol in the Atlantic then was transferred to the Pacific. His ship, the USS Saugus was the first to enter Nagasaki Bay to survey the damage of the Atomic Bomb, and bring the wounded to San Diego. He finished his apprentice courses in the tool room of the former Gilbert & Barker in West Springfield and worked for many years at Eastern Etching in Chicopee, and retired from Columbia Bicycle in Westfield after over twenty years of service. He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Westfield and loved fishing, having a good time, and travel. He attended the first World’s Fair in New York City and visited Dealey Square in Dallas, Texas to see where President Kennedy was assassinated. He is survived by his sister, Olga (Kousch) Klepach (97 years old) of Hemet, California and several nieces, nephews, and close friends. There are no calling hours. Services will be scheduled at a later date. The Legacy Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit legacy-funeralhome.com to leave expressions of sympathy.
