EAST BROOKFIELD --- Richard H. Jaskoviak,87, died Sunday, January 3 at his home.
He leaves three sons, Kirk R. Jaskoviak and his wife Linda of Gilbertville, Kent P. Jaskoviak and his wife Betty Jean of West Boylston and Kyle J. Jaskoviak of Ware; his daughter, Kim R. Purcell and her companion, Mark Bengtson of East Brookfield; two stepsons, Wayne D. Wentworth and his wife Kathleen of North Smithfield, R.I., Scot K. Wentworth and his wife Gail of Maryland, N.Y.; four grandsons, Ryan Purcell of Webster, Tory Jaskoviak of Boston, and Cole & Tyler Jaskoviak of West Boylston; three granddaughters, Brittany Molloy of Spencer, Hayley Purcell of Worcester and Eva Jaskoviak of Gilbertville; eight step-grandchildren, Candace Mendala, Jessie Fusco, Billy Jean Moberg, Elizabeth Guido, Lindsay Wentworth, Jeremy Wentworth, Devon Wentworth, and Trevor Wentworth; two great-granddaughters, Fiona and Gwen Molloy; fifteen step-great-grandchildren; and a niece, Pamela Jaskoviak of Sweden.
He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy J. (Smith) Jaskoviak, his ex-wife, the former Rhoda N. Mattson, his brother, Roger E. Jaskoviak, a nationally-known and locally-popular artist under the pseudonym Jacob Knight and his stepson, Dale Wentworth.
Dick was born in Southbridge, the son of Adolph J. "Jack" Jaskoviak and the former Charlotte M. Hopkins, and lived most of his life in East Brookfield and the surrounding towns.
He took early retirement in 1989 after 27 years with the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, having worked in several writing and supervisory positions and leaving as a copy editor. In retirement, he did some freelance writing, was a self-employed real estate broker and was an auxiliary rural mail carrier for the Sturbridge Post Office through 2001.
Dick was a graduate of David Prouty High School, Spencer, and went to the former Hilder Preparatory School in Washington, DC, before enlisting in the Marine Corps and serving in the Korean War as a communications lineman. He attended Tufts College under a full NROTC Scholarship earned through the Marine Corps and also attended Worcester State College.
He was a member and former officer of the Boulette-Skyten Post, American Legion in East Brookfield, and years ago was active in Boy Scout programs, historical revues and several other area activities.
At Dick's standing request, there are no calling hours or formal funeral services. His ashes will be interred in the family plot at Evergreen Cemetery, East Brookfield. Any memorial donations can be made to Second Chance Animal Services, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515. J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, Spencer, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.