Thomas Charles Koscelnik

Lt. Col. Thomas Charles Koscelnik, USAF (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Thomas Charles "Tom" Koscelnik, 93, passed away on October 13, 2026, in Frisco, Texas, just 22 days after his 93rd birthday.

Tom was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, the youngest of eight children of the late John P. Koscelnik and Julia M. (Hrivnyak) Koscelnik. He grew up in a proud, close-knit family alongside his brothers John P., Joseph, Steven, Edward, and Richard, and his sisters Julia and Margaret (Zaleski).

He attended Sacred Heart Grade School, graduated from Cathedral Prep with the Class of 1951, and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Gannon College.

Service was at the heart of Tom's life. He joined the United States Air Force in 1954, serving on active duty during the Korean War era and then in the reserves for nearly four decades before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993. All five of his brothers also served in the military, a testament to the family's deep commitment to their country. For 15 years, Tom acted as a liaison officer for the Air Force Academy. In 2021, he was honored to be selected for the 50th Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., an experience that moved him deeply and stayed with him always. Tom lived with loyalty and humility, guided by a motto he cherished: "One for all and all for one."

Tom began working at AMSCO right out of high school and spent 37 years with the company, retiring as Finance Director. His third career was in quality control for the Department of Defense before retiring for good. He and his wife, Madge, went on to spend 20 happy years in The Villages, Florida, where they enjoyed countless rounds of golf and pinochle and hosted their legendary garage-and-driveway parties. Tom was a lifelong member of the Air Force Association, American Legion Post 347, the Reserve Officers Association, and the Zukor Club.

In 2024, Tom moved to Frisco to live with his daughter, Carolyn, his son-in-law, Bill, and their dogs, Brindle and Piper, who adored him. The family liked to joke that he was the dogs' second source of food. Although he lived with severe macular degeneration, Tom embraced every day and had a gift for finding the bright side of any situation.

Tom loved to tell people that Madge had scored two holes-in-one, while he never managed a single one, despite playing twice as many rounds! It was his way of celebrating her with pride and humor. He was preceded in death by Madalyn "Nurse Madge" (Crocker) Koscelnik, his beloved wife of 58 years, who died in 2021, and by his son, John "Kos" Koscelnik, who died in 2011.

He is survived by his children: Tommy Koscelnik of Erie, Pennsylvania; Timothy (Susan) Koscelnik of Canton, Georgia; Valerie Koscelnik of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Carolyn (Bill) Short of Frisco, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Caleb and Nicholas Koscelnik, and by several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may call on Friday, October 23rd from 3 to 7 p.m. at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, 2122 Raspberry Street, in Erie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 24th, at 10 a.m. at St. George Catholic Church, 5145 Peach Street, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Erie Humane Society, or the American Association for Cancer Research.