Robert J ‘R.J.’ Sokol – North Belle Vernon

Robert J. “R.J.” Sokol, 64, of North Belle Vernon, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021, in UPMC Magee Hospital after a brave and valiant battle with COVID- 19. A son of the late Robert E. Sokol and Jacqueline Bruno Sokol, who survives and resides in Rostraver, he was born in North Charleroi on Feb. 9, 1957. A resident of North Belle Vernon for the past 35 years, he was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, a life member of the Rostraver Central Volunteer Fire Department and was a former North Belle Vernon councilman. R.J. had been employed at the former Sony Plant for 20 years and most recently at Eastman Chemical in Monongahela as a production supervisor for eight years. He was very proud of recently becoming a card dealer at Live! Casino in Greensburg. R.J. spearheaded the efforts to clean up the former Graham Street Park, currently Community Bank Park, to make it a better place for families in his community. He spent countless hours raising funds to complete his vision of a valuable community asset. R.J. enjoyed horse races, vacationing to Ocean City, loved his Hallmark and cowboy movies and his cat, Smokey. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lynn Rusnak Sokol, his “Princess;” a loving son, Bobby Sokol of North Belle Vernon; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Carmen “Buddy” Sokol, (his twin), of Pittsburgh, Brian and Candy Sokol of Rostraver, and Scott and Paula Sokol of Rostraver; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, K.C. Henninger Sokol. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 27, and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 700 Broad Ave. Belle Vernon, 724-929-5300, www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com. A funeral Mass will be held at noon Monday, March 29, at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church.Social distancing and face masks are required in both the funeral home and the church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. If friends wish, memorial donations may be made in R.J.’s memory to the Humane Society of Westmoreland County, 139 Humane Society Road, Greensburg, PA 15601.