Peter Paul Bielecki Sr.

     Well known and respected city businessman, Mr. Peter Paul Bielecki Sr., passed into Eternal Life Saturday the evening of February 24th in the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, following a prolonged illness. 

     Born on Flag Day, Thursday, June 14, 1945 in Wilkes-Barre, he was 78 years of age.  Mr. Bielecki was one of five children to the late Francis and Mary (Chupka) Bielecki; being raised on Andover Street in the Rolling Mill Hill section of Wilkes-Barre.

     Educated in the city schools, he attended the Palmer School and E.L. Meyers High School, both formerly of Wilkes-Barre.

     Mr. Bielecki was the owner and operator of his family's business, the Bielecki Scrap and Recycling Center, Inc. of North Wilkes-Barre for thirty-nine years; having established the company in 1985.  He is remembered for his tireless work ethic; keeping late hours and always greeting his patrons with a welcoming smile or funny one-liner.

     This dedication to work began at a young age.  In his youth, Peter would use his little red wagon to collect neighborhood recyclables and take them to local scrap yards for money.  During that same time he also gained a paper route with the Times Leader newspaper.

     Later, Mr. Bielecki earned his commercial driver's license and drove trucks for the Union Paper & Supply Company; Friedman's Express and Native Textiles prior to starting his own scrap and recycling center.

     In his spare time, Pete enjoyed the outdoors and loved fishing, especially with his family.

     Mr. Bielecki was also a selfless individual who took pleasure in helping others; even if it was finding an obsolete item in his scrap yard for a friend.  Once the prized item was located, he’d yell “Merry Christmas” in lieu of accepting any monetary compensation.  The degree of his selflessness was realized one evening when he and his late son burst into a neighbor’s home which was ablaze.  Fortunately, the duo were able to save a family from certain peril.  For his bravery and heroism, Mr. Bielecki was awarded the “Key to the City of Wilkes-Barre” by then Mayor Thomas McGroarty; as well as a proclamation from former United States Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski.  

     Above all else, family was the focus of his life.  He is best remembered as being a loving, devoted husband, father and grandfather to his adoring family.  His presence will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him in this life.

     Raised in the Catholic faith, he attended Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary Parish Community, downtown Wilkes-Barre.  Fraternally, he held membership in the Teamsters Local #401 of Wilkes-Barre.

     He and his wife, the former Peggy C. Campbell, would have celebrated sixty-two years of married life together on April 8th of this year.

     Sadly, Mr. Bielecki was preceded in death by a son, Mr. Peter Paul Bielecki Jr. on April 3, 2015.  Also preceding him were a sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Charneski and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Betty Emery.

     Left to cherish the wonderful memories they keep of him in addition to his beloved wife Peggy at home are a son, James Bielecki of Dallas; Grandchildren, Peter Paul Bielecki III and Justine Paige Bielecki; Siblings, including Mr. Frank Bielecki and his wife Sylvia of Nanticoke; James Bielecki of Nevada; Theresa Bielecki, Nanticoke and Leon Charneski of Wilkes-Barre; Several nieces and nephews including Tara Cooley of Belton, South Carolina; Many former patrons and dear friends.

     Despite all the kind words and remembrances that could be shared about this wonderful man, perhaps the following thoughts entitled “Poem for Poppy” written by his granddaughter Justine Paige Bielecki could best sum up this gentleman by those who knew and loved him best.

                 “The sun shines for you, it gives you the energy to do – anything you put your mind to.  You are a strong man, with every finger on your hand.  You have a golden heart, (sharing your light to those in the dark); Always taking pride in your work, with a large smile or a little smirk.  You make people’s days, even when the skies are gray.  I am proud to call you my Poppy, for you have carried the grounds with what you have taught me.  Even then, like a father to me, you have raised me to stand up and rise, even on my hands and knees.”

     Mr. Bielecki’s family would like to gratefully acknowledge the staff of both Allied Services here in Wilkes-Barre and the Penn State/Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; in particular his cardiologist, Dr. Edward Lankford for all of their unwavering care, professionalism and hope during Pete’s stay with them.

     Memorial funeral services with visitation for Mr. Bielecki will be announced this coming springtime with inurnment in Saint Mary Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hanover Township.  Currently, services are being held privately and at the convenience of the family from the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. 

     The Reverend Joseph D. Verespy, pastor of Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary Parish, Wilkes-Barre, will serve as celebrant by offering the Liturgy of the Word.

     In lieu of floral tributes, the family would be humbled if those contemplating a monetary donation in Pete’s memory, kindly give consideration to the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 or online at www.pennstatehealth.org/childrens/giving.

     Those wishing to share online words of comfort or a fond memory of Mr. Bielecki with his family are encouraged to do so by visiting his memorial page here on our family’s website.  Thank You.

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