Jul 11, 2021

Richard “Rich” Paul Kocian, 69, of McDonald, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in St. Clair Hospital.

Rich was born August 26, 1951, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Edward and Katherine Staresenic Kocian.

Mr. Kocian was a lifetime member of First Croatian Church of North America, Saint Nicholas Church and a member of St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church.

He was a graduate of North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. Joining Alpha Epsilon Pi is where Rich’s love of service began. Rich was a retired dispatcher for North Fayette Township Police Department, where he served for 38 years. He had a love for people and giving back to his communities that cherished him so much. Rich was a strong advocate for continuing education certification, as he received his 40-year certification as a paramedic, previously serving as a paramedic with Rescue West. He was also a certified radiological technician for Pennsylvania and a charter member of the Washington County Hazardous Material team. Rich was also a lifetime member of the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department.

To say that Rich joined every club or organization that he could is an understatement. However, he was not just a member, he was a faithful servant to anything and everything he belonged to. Mr. Kocian was a member of the Oakdale Lodge #669 Free & Accepted Masons, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, a Syria Shriner, Zerubbabel-Duquesne Royal Arch Chapter No. 162, Mt. Moriah Council Royal and Select Master Masons No. 2, Pittsburgh Commandery No. 1 Knights Templar, Red Cross of Constantine, Allied Masonic Degrees, York Rite Sovereign College, receiving the Athelstan Jewel in 2015 and Order of the Purple Cross in 2018.

His highest accomplishment, being a member of the Valley of Pittsburgh Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and was coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33rd Degree, becoming an Honorary member of the Supreme council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in September of 2019.

These clubs and organizations gave him a second family, but his greatest accomplishment above all was his family. Rich and his wife lead a beautiful marriage for 47 years. They loved each other to the fullest and were devoted to each other. Together they raised their son, who easily became their pride and joy. And later on down the road became grandparents to two beautiful granddaughters. Although all the things that he was involved in meant the world to him, his family is what filled his heart. As his greatest roles were being a husband, father and grandfather.

Surviving is his loving wife, Kathy Mullen Kocian; son, Brian (Tina) Kocian of Findlay Township; granddaughters, Abigail and Hannah Kocian; and brother, Kenneth (Debbie) Kocian of Pittsburgh.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Kocian.

Friends and family will be received from 12 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 11, in Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc., 314 W. Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, 724-926-2800. A fireman’s service will be held in the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and following at 7:30 p.m. a mason’s service will also be held in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 12, in St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church – St. Isadore the Farmer Parish. Interment will follow in Robinson Run Cemetery.