Richard A. Ciesla

Richard A. Ciesla, 87, of Flemington, NJ passed away on May 21, 2024 following a fall at home.

Rich was born on July 12, 1936 to Adam and Esther (Kino) Ciesla in Passaic, NJ. Rich attended Lodi High School where he was a star pitcher for their state champion baseball team, and where he also met the love of his life, Diana. He graduated in 1954 and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals for Class C baseball, but ultimately chose to marry Diana in 1958 and start his family instead.

He began his working career with Eastman Kodak in Fairlawn, NJ but quickly found his passion in home construction. In 1964, Rich moved his family to a home he built in Oak Ridge, NJ where he and Diana raised their three children. Rich started his own construction company with his brother Ted, “Cress Construction” which grew into “Shawn-Lin Homes,” a custom home building corporation that thrived for many years. He also lovingly custom-built homes for each of his three children.

Rich was a 4th degree officer “Warden” for the Knights of Columbus and was an usher at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Oak Ridge, NJ. In his spare time, Rich enjoyed coaching little league baseball, watching his children play sports and his weekly bowling league. He had many close friends who he loved to spend time with.

Rich semi-retired at the age 65, but continued a business as “Rich the Retired Carpenter” in his local community, Flemington, NJ, where he eventually fully retired at the age of 75.

Rich and Diana enjoyed twenty-two happy retirement winter seasons in their North Port, FL condominium with many days consisting of golf, card games with friends, Rich-organized “betting” pools and time well spent with friends. These were some of the happiest times of his life.

Rich was an avid Giant and Yankee fan, the ultimate competitor and cherished his time on golf courses in NJ and FL. He was so proud he had TWO hole in ones!

Rich was blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, which all knew and loved their “Pa.”

Above all else, his wife and family were most important to him, spending countless family vacations, holidays, and memorable times together. Those memories will keep him alive in the hearts of his loved ones.

Rich was predeceased by his parents, Adam Ciesla and Esther (Kino) Ciesla, his brothers, Theodore and Robert. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Diana, his three children, Linda (Joe) McIntyre of Stockton, NJ, Richard M. (Jennifer) Ciesla of Englewood, FL and Laurie (Lance) Sedlak of Denver, NC as well as his seven grandchildren, Joe, Amanda, Erin, Dana, Mackenzie, Brian, Kimberly; and his seven great grandchildren, Christopher, James, Charlotte, Eloise, JoJo, Audrey and Vivienne; and many nieces and nephews that also held a special place in his heart.

Memorial services, officiated by Fr. Matthew Marinelli, will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Interment will be private. Calling hours will be Saturday June 8th from 11:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home.

Live stream video of the service will be available by clicking HERE if you are unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (https://give2.chop.edu) as several of his grand and great-grandchildren who received life-changing care there.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.