Richard M. Kotcella

On November 29, 2024, Richard M. Kotcella (73), formerly of Rostraver Township lost a courageous battle coping with a lengthy illness.  Born on April 17, 1951 in North Charleroi, PA.  Rich spent most of his life residing in the Mon Valley area.  He was employed for 36 years and retired as Assistant Director of Maintenance at the former Monongahela Valley Hospital. After retirement, he and his wife Beth Ann relocated to Dunnellon, Florida where they continued their life journey together.

During this journey, Rich demonstrated several passions along the way.  His mechanical skills and talents were oftentimes appreciated by family and friends as he would be called upon to repair appliances, tools or renovate a home project.  He creatively used his iPad as a window to the world, gathering resources to problem solve a tricky project detail.   Among his other passions were: vegetable gardening, reading, and researching, and of course, that occasional trip to the casino.   Rich also had a unique sense of humor, famous for taking someone’s typical remark/comment and creatively sliding in a witty punchline which would catch you off guard and make you crack up.

Rich is survived by his loving wife Beth Ann (Pennline) and son Andre of Monessen; his sister, Sue Kotcella of Brookhaven, PA;  his sister-in-law Grace Kotcella of Texas; his brother and sister-in-law Henry and Cheryl Pennline of Bethel Park, PA;  his brother and sister-in-law Gary Wescott and Jane (Pennline)Wescott of Dunnellon Florida and  numerous nieces and nephews.

Our dear Rich was a gentle soul always willing to lend an empathetic ear to friend or stranger. He was a good listener, nonjudgemental and an overall top-notch gentleman.   Our world will never be the same as we lost the best husband, father, in-law, friend, and neighbor.