Lester Joseph Rokisky, Jr.
September 2, 1928 ~ March 30, 2020
Lester J. Rokisky, Jr., 81, a retired pharmacist of Weirton, died Monday March 30, 2020, at the Weirton Geriatric Center. He will be remembered as honest, hardworking, fun loving, welcoming, and extremely devoted to his family.
Lester was born in Follansbee, WV on September 2, 1938 to Lester J. and Mary Grisso Rokisky. In his early days, Lester lived in Follansbee, WV before his family moved to Weirton, WV. He graduated from Weir High School, and furthered his education at Duquesne University. At Duquesne, Lester met Ursula Szczecina. The couple both graduated with a degree in Pharmacy and later united in marriage on October 3, 1959.
Lester spent most of his career at Super X Drug Store and Weirton Medical Center, where he retired as a staff pharmacist. At the age of 53, Lester was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating disease that for nearly 30 years affected Lester’s physical abilities yet never conquered Lester’s spirit. He remained himself, never complaining one time about the hand he was dealt. His determination to provide for his family carried on. He never turned down an extra shift.
All who had the privilege of knowing Lester, knew of the passion he had for the game of golf. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Country Club and Williams Country Club. This passion carried on through the years despite his physical abilities. Oftentimes he would swing the club, lose his balance, fall down, pick himself back up, and go on to his next shot.
Lester nourished his faith at Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in Weirton. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, and the Knights of Columbus 3734. He was a member of the WV Pharmaceutical Association and Past President of Weirton Rotary.
Lester will be remembered with love by his wife, Ursula; his son Jeffrey Rokisky and his wife, Robin and their children, Ryan (Nicole), Clay, and Hannah; his daughter, Leslie Boltey and her husband, Shawn; and their children, Jennifer (Tom) and Lindsay (Jeff) Sarah and Cullen; and Lester’s sister, Eleanor Henwood. Lester was blessed with 5 great grandchildren and his beloved dog Lucee.
The family of Lester would like to express their gratitude to the staffs at Serra Manor and Weirton Geriatric Center for the compassion and comfort that they provided to Lester while he was under their care. Also the family is grateful to the staff of Valley Hospice for the care they provided as Lester neared the end of his life on this earth.
Due to the Covid 19 restrictions the Rokisky family will hold private family visitation and services on Thursday morning at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home.
Very Rev. Fr. Dennis R. Schuelkens Jr, VE will preside.
Interment will follow at Saint Paul’s Cemetery.
Friends and family can leave a video message or a written message or send a hug from home to the Rokisky family via the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home website www.grecohertnick.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joseph the Worker Church or Valley Hospice.
Ursula and Jeff and family…so very sorry for your loss…Les will be missed ..he had a great sense of humor…very witty . God bless. Elaine Flinn(Serra manor nurse)
Jeff and Family, I’m so very sorry to read of your dad’s passing. Heaven has definitely gained another Angel. Prayers that God will bless and be with you all
Ursula and Jeff and family…so very sorry for your loss…Les will be missed by me…fond memories from neighborhood, working for him at drug store and mostly as a true friend. God Bless you all.
Jeff, Robin & Family I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with you during this difficult time. May his memories comfort you and bring you peace. Angela Goettel
Heartfelt condolences to Ursula and family. Les was such a kind soul and excellent pharmacist!!! I had my first rotation with Les at SuperX and he was such a great teacher and mentor, the pharmacy world lost one of the best. May God wrap his loving arms around you all and give you comfort and may your multitude of loving bring peace to your hearts
Jeff and family, please accept my sympathies. I remember Lester from the Weirton medical pharmacy, he was a wonderful gentleman and friend.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Ursula, Jeff, and the entire Rokisky family. Lester was not just a co-worker, he was also a friend. We shared many good times on the golf course and various sporting events. I will miss his quick wit and ornery smile. RIP “Holmes”.
My wife, Lucille Smith, also a pharmacist worked with Lester at Weirton Medical Center for years and with many physical problems died at age 88 from Parkinson Disease She loved Lester. Galen Smith
I worked with Lester at the hospital pharmacy. He was a pleasure to work with, because you didn’t work for him. Always a smile and a joke. He will be missed. Prayers for his family. Bob Hoge
Jeff, deepest sympathy and prayers to your family Donna Taibi- Sullivan
Jeff and family, sorry to learn of the passing of your father. May he rest in peace free from the limitations of his disease, and may you find comfort and peace in the face of your loss.
So sorry for this great loss. Les was a wonderful human being with an beautiful soul. Love and prayers to the family. Rest easy Les. Love, Jamie
So, sorry for your loss. I worked with Les at The superx drug store in Weirto,W Va. He was totally a great man. I was the store manager and he made my job easier. He was always happy and never in a bad mood. Super X was Lucky to have him. I worked with Ursula in the Steubenville SuperX store as well. Les will truly be missed by all. RIP Les Mary Dalton.
Very sorry for your loss…what a wonderful person Lester was…he will be missed by so many…much love and prayers…Danielle “Blondie” Craig
So sorry for the loss of you husband, father and grandfather. May he Rest In Peace. 🙏🏻
Leslie, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Sending you hugs and prayers. May God strengthen and comfort you and give you His peace that passes all understanding.
Joyce and Ron Wilson We were two of the lucky ones. It was a fine thing to be young when we were with Les at Weir High School. But our greatest joy was when we were with him and Ursula, as together we watched and enjoyed our three Rokisky grandchildren grow up. To read he had Parkinson’s disease at 53 was news to a lot of us because his personality and his kindness never changed and during that time he had some of his happiest years. It is not an exaggeration to say that he accepted adversity without ever complaining, and he was blessed to have a loving wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the Rokisky family . I have fond memories of Les from Williams Country Club . He was a true Gentleman, Les and his family are in our prayers, Robert and Patty Capito
We admired and respected Les and valued him for his contributions to our community… The Vanniere Family
I’m very grateful to have Les even for a short time. What a wonderful man with sharp wit and terrific sense of humor. God Bless his family.
Jeff, Robin and family! We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, Les! I remember talking to him often at the hospital over the years we worked there! He was always kind, friendly and always helpful! May he Rest In Peace Under angels wings for all eternity! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Sincerely, Tim and Chris Connell 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Mrs. Rokisky, Jeff and Leslie: So very sorry for your loss. Mr. Rokisky was warm , caring, fun loving person. I have great memories of growing up in our neighborhood and he made it special. Specifically, every year he would remind me of his big contract with DelMonte to supply them with results of his garden, always with a big smile and laugh. Great memory. You are and in my thoughts in prayers Bob McKinley
Condolences to the Rokisky family. I worked with Lester at SuperX for many years. He was a great man and will be missed, he was my favorite pharmacist that I worked with throughout the years!
Ursula and family, sorry for your loss. From the blazer to the smile to his Steelers, I have nothing but fond memories of Les. He cared about his patients, always took care of them. He loved his golf as well, PV, Williams, and Hilton Head. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Dan and Brenda LaRue
My deepest condolences to the friends and family of Lester. I had the privilege of working with Lester at Weirton Medical Center, and it was always a pleasure. He had great knowledge and wisdom, as well as a wonderful wit. He absolutely influenced my life and career in a positive way. God bless.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Rokisky family. I remember years ago when Les was a member of Weirton Rotary, Sacred Heart, and the Madonna Community. He was a very good man.
With loving memories of Uncle Les