Richard Raymond Snopkowski (81) of Randoph, New Jersey, passed away unexpectedly on September 15, 2023 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville surrounded by his loved ones.

Richard, also known as Rich or Dick, was born to Adam and Veronica Snopkowski on May 29, 1942 in Pittston, PA and grew up in Dupont, PA. As the grandson of immigrants, he was the first of his family to pursue a higher education and attend college. Richard studied at the Pennsylvania Military Academy and then completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management at Wilkes College.  He then furthered his studies at Penn State earning his AEE status in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and then continued to earn his Master’s of Business at The University of Scranton. He had a lifetime of work in the telecommunications industry starting at IBM, then moving to Commonwealth Telephone in Dallas, PA, Yadtel (formerly known as Yadkin Valley Telephone in Yadkinville, NC, and ended his career (the last 33 years) as VP of Industry Relations at NECA (National Exchange Carrier Association) in Whippany, NJ before he retired at the age of 67.  He was a devout Catholic and member of St. Matthew the Apostle R C Church in Randolph where he regularly served as a church lector.

Richard enjoyed traveling with his wife, vacationing at the lake (his favorite place), spending time with his family, cheering on his grandkids, tinkering on his many projects, boating, fishing, staying connected with his classmates, as well as donating to a multitude of charitable organizations.

Richard is survived by his wife Jean S Snopkowski of 33 years, and by his 5 children: Michelle (and Frank) Carter of Belews Creek, NC; Michael R (and Patricia) Snopkowski of Philomath, OR; Susan L (and Jeffrey) Jones of Advance, NC; Aaron L (and Samantha) Swaim of Mt. Olive, NJ; and Landon R (and Jessica) Swaim of Roxbury, NJ. He also leaves his 7 grandchildren: Anne-Marie Reavis, David Jones, Ryan Swaim, Leah Swaim, Brady Swaim, Mason Swaim, and Madelyn Swaim.

Richard’s family will host a viewing on Tuesday, September 19^, from 5 – 8 pm at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home (davishepplewhitefh.com), 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 973-584-7264. The Funeral Liturgy will then be held on Wednesday, September 20 at 10 am at St. Matthew the Apostle R C Church in Randolph. The interment will follow at the Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wyoming, PA at 1 pm.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in his name to either the Glaucoma Research Foundation (https://glaucoma.org) or the Chazy Lake Watershed Initiative (https://www.chazylake.org).