Obituary for Albert Vincent Pruski
Albert Pruski, beloved husband, loving father, and proud grandfather and great grandfather, went to be with the Lord on December 25, 2020.
Albert was born to Vincent and Pelagia Wiatrek-Pruski on May 1, 1935 in Kosciusko, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Emil Pruski, Florence Laskowski, and Lillian Lyssy.
He is survived by his twin sister Alma Marie Skloss; his devoted wife of 65 years, Joan Pruski; and his five children: Mike Pruski and wife Judy, their children Shelby, and her son Bentley; Koby and wife, Madison; and Lana Pruski; Linda and husband Kevin O’Connor; their children, Jillian and husband, Steve Rountree and their children William, Audrey, and James; and Kelly O’Connor; Kenny Pruski and wife, Jennifer; their children, Zachary and wife Kayla and their son Jack; Lindsey Pruski and her son Wyatt; Gerald Pruski and wife, Terri; their sons Kevin and wife Jessica and their son Callen; Kley and wife, Allison and their son Jensyn; and Kyle and wife, Shannon; and Amy and husband, Curt Alexander, and their sons, Luke, Jacob and Blaise.
Albert’s strong work ethic started at the young age of seven when his father died, and he began working to help take care of his mother. Albert married Joan Kotara on September 20, 1955 in Kosciusko, Texas. Here they raised their family, built their business and attended church at St. Ann’s. Albert was a dedicated, lifelong parishioner there, serving as an altar boy, and later, became a member of the St. Joseph’s Society, the church choir, and served as a Eucharistic minister. The Lord was always the center of Albert’s long and full life. He led by example through his love, friendship, generosity and service he showed his family and community.
Albert, and his brother Emil, bought Pruski’s Store in 1962. He devoted his life to growing the store from a small service station to a third-generation family run business. The continued success of the business was based on the simple principle that the customer always came first. The “station” was a place where Albert spent many long hours working, (and a few hours) drinking beer, and playing pitch and dominos with his many friends. If not at the station, Albert could be found on a tractor tending his crops and cattle. Albert got his children involved in farming and agriculture at a very young age and had them working in the fields and raising animals for the Wilson Country livestock shows. Through their example, he and Joan instilled a very strong work ethic in their children.
Albert enjoyed watching football and baseball and was very active as both player and coach of the Kosciusko Red Socks. The Kosciusko community was very proud of their Red Sox team. An excerpt from the San Antonio Express-News in 1964 referenced a historic game: “And yet… last Sunday, at a Wilson County cow pasture, with rain threatening, 1,500 people paid to attend a baseball game between the Hemi-Demi-Semi pros of Kosciusko and Saspamco.” Albert coached this team to a proud victory. Later he enjoyed watching his grandchildren from the sidelines as they competed on the field.
Albert was actively involved in community affairs and served on the Poth ISD school board for several years in varying capacities. Albert was responsible for many community improvement initiatives which included collecting signatures for easements that allowed the construction of FM 1347 and the expansion of the Sunko rural water supply to the Kosciusko community. He was elected Wilson County Commissioner in 1983 and served until 1998. Albert knew and was a friend to many people throughout Wilson County. He could always remember a name.
Albert enjoyed going to the deer lease with his sons and grandsons and treasured his hunting memories. Albert also loved fishing. He had many fun trips going to Choke Canyon with his best friend Willie (we’re sure they’re already catching up on their fishing tales). One of the best stories they had was when they arrived at the lake, they realized that at some point during their trip, the boat disconnected from the truck. The story is that someone got busy talking and failed to connect the hitch all the way. Not to worry. Albert and Willie backtracked their travels and the boat was found along the road in a ditch. Albert enjoyed gardening and had one of the greenest thumbs around. Bragging rights went to those in the family who could grow the biggest and prettiest tomatoes and those whose new potatoes were the first of the season to be ready. Albert frequently won those rights.
One of his favorite places was his rocking chair that had room for at least two people. Sitting with “Popo” in his rocker was always a coveted spot for his grandchildren. Albert was deeply loved by his family and friends, and he will be missed.
Public viewing will be from 9-10:15 AM on Tuesday, December 29th at St. Ann’s Church, Kosciusko, TX. A private recitation of the rosary and funeral service will follow. Interment will follow at St. Ann’s Parish Cemetery. Albert had many friends in the community and the family would welcome your special memories, photos and stories of him on the Finch funeral website at www.finchfuneralchapels.com. The family hopes that this will give everyone the chance to honor and cherish his memory.
The Pruski Family would like to thank Nurses in Touch/Hospice for their care and support during Albert’s illness. We extend our sincere gratitude to caregivers Barbara Westmoreland, Margaret Lyssy and Hester Mendoza. We truly appreciate everything you did to help our family during this extremely difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Nurses in Touch/Hospice at www.nursesintouch.com.
Albert was born to Vincent and Pelagia Wiatrek-Pruski on May 1, 1935 in Kosciusko, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Emil Pruski, Florence Laskowski, and Lillian Lyssy.
He is survived by his twin sister Alma Marie Skloss; his devoted wife of 65 years, Joan Pruski; and his five children: Mike Pruski and wife Judy, their children Shelby, and her son Bentley; Koby and wife, Madison; and Lana Pruski; Linda and husband Kevin O’Connor; their children, Jillian and husband, Steve Rountree and their children William, Audrey, and James; and Kelly O’Connor; Kenny Pruski and wife, Jennifer; their children, Zachary and wife Kayla and their son Jack; Lindsey Pruski and her son Wyatt; Gerald Pruski and wife, Terri; their sons Kevin and wife Jessica and their son Callen; Kley and wife, Allison and their son Jensyn; and Kyle and wife, Shannon; and Amy and husband, Curt Alexander, and their sons, Luke, Jacob and Blaise.
Albert’s strong work ethic started at the young age of seven when his father died, and he began working to help take care of his mother. Albert married Joan Kotara on September 20, 1955 in Kosciusko, Texas. Here they raised their family, built their business and attended church at St. Ann’s. Albert was a dedicated, lifelong parishioner there, serving as an altar boy, and later, became a member of the St. Joseph’s Society, the church choir, and served as a Eucharistic minister. The Lord was always the center of Albert’s long and full life. He led by example through his love, friendship, generosity and service he showed his family and community.
Albert, and his brother Emil, bought Pruski’s Store in 1962. He devoted his life to growing the store from a small service station to a third-generation family run business. The continued success of the business was based on the simple principle that the customer always came first. The “station” was a place where Albert spent many long hours working, (and a few hours) drinking beer, and playing pitch and dominos with his many friends. If not at the station, Albert could be found on a tractor tending his crops and cattle. Albert got his children involved in farming and agriculture at a very young age and had them working in the fields and raising animals for the Wilson Country livestock shows. Through their example, he and Joan instilled a very strong work ethic in their children.
Albert enjoyed watching football and baseball and was very active as both player and coach of the Kosciusko Red Socks. The Kosciusko community was very proud of their Red Sox team. An excerpt from the San Antonio Express-News in 1964 referenced a historic game: “And yet… last Sunday, at a Wilson County cow pasture, with rain threatening, 1,500 people paid to attend a baseball game between the Hemi-Demi-Semi pros of Kosciusko and Saspamco.” Albert coached this team to a proud victory. Later he enjoyed watching his grandchildren from the sidelines as they competed on the field.
Albert was actively involved in community affairs and served on the Poth ISD school board for several years in varying capacities. Albert was responsible for many community improvement initiatives which included collecting signatures for easements that allowed the construction of FM 1347 and the expansion of the Sunko rural water supply to the Kosciusko community. He was elected Wilson County Commissioner in 1983 and served until 1998. Albert knew and was a friend to many people throughout Wilson County. He could always remember a name.
Albert enjoyed going to the deer lease with his sons and grandsons and treasured his hunting memories. Albert also loved fishing. He had many fun trips going to Choke Canyon with his best friend Willie (we’re sure they’re already catching up on their fishing tales). One of the best stories they had was when they arrived at the lake, they realized that at some point during their trip, the boat disconnected from the truck. The story is that someone got busy talking and failed to connect the hitch all the way. Not to worry. Albert and Willie backtracked their travels and the boat was found along the road in a ditch. Albert enjoyed gardening and had one of the greenest thumbs around. Bragging rights went to those in the family who could grow the biggest and prettiest tomatoes and those whose new potatoes were the first of the season to be ready. Albert frequently won those rights.
One of his favorite places was his rocking chair that had room for at least two people. Sitting with “Popo” in his rocker was always a coveted spot for his grandchildren. Albert was deeply loved by his family and friends, and he will be missed.
Public viewing will be from 9-10:15 AM on Tuesday, December 29th at St. Ann’s Church, Kosciusko, TX. A private recitation of the rosary and funeral service will follow. Interment will follow at St. Ann’s Parish Cemetery. Albert had many friends in the community and the family would welcome your special memories, photos and stories of him on the Finch funeral website at www.finchfuneralchapels.com. The family hopes that this will give everyone the chance to honor and cherish his memory.
The Pruski Family would like to thank Nurses in Touch/Hospice for their care and support during Albert’s illness. We extend our sincere gratitude to caregivers Barbara Westmoreland, Margaret Lyssy and Hester Mendoza. We truly appreciate everything you did to help our family during this extremely difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Nurses in Touch/Hospice at www.nursesintouch.com.