Richard Moskala

Richard Moskala, 97, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026.

A Toledoan born and raised, he was the son of Michael and Tillie (Tekla) Moskala, Polish immigrants who raised Richard and his siblings, Joseph, Evelyn, and Stephanie, in the Catholic faith.

He loved playing ball in the streets and alleys of Hamilton Street. He walked to school and relished the day he received his first library card.

He was a musician, having learned to play the accordion as a boy, and brought it out of the closet when he learned his friends were being paid to play for a neighborhood wedding.

While playing at a local club, he met his wife, Barbara, who was wearing a button hat and approached the bandstand to make a request. “She could really dance,” he said.

Richard and Barbara were married in 1948 and welcomed three children: Stephen, Ann Marie, and Jeanne.

He worked for Libbey Glass before accepting a position with Right Tool & Die, where he remained for 40 years as Chief Designer. He was a life member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. While at work, a visiting salesman casually asked, “How are you doing in the market?” From that moment, he began trading stocks and, as a detail-oriented record keeper, logged the Dow every day.

He continued playing the accordion nights and weekends for weddings, private parties, bar mitzvahs, and strolling gigs. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 15-282. Breakfasts with fellow musicians continued throughout his retirement.

A man of many interests and hobbies, he became a photographer with the advent of the 35mm camera and joined a photo club, winning an award for a timed exposure featuring the Double Ferris Wheel at Cedar Point.

Planes, trains, and automobiles captured his imagination. He was a modeler and enjoyed the remote control club, Weak Signals. In retirement, he designed and crafted bridges for model railroads and maintained friendships with fellow remote control enthusiasts through regular lunches.

He rode a variety of vehicles: an open-cockpit biplane in San Diego, a hot air balloon over Phoenix, and a glider in Otay Mesa. He also loved roller coasters, including the Blue Streak at Cedar Point.

In 1990, he and Barbara moved to Perrysburg, where he became a lifetime member of the Way Public Library and St. Rose Catholic Church.

Grandsons, Matthew and Edward were born to Stephen in Arizona. Granddaughters Monica and Hannah were born to Ann Marie in California. Jeanne moved to the warmth of Arizona. Richard loved and protected his children and grandchildren deeply.

His travels took him around the country, but he especially enjoyed fall trips to New England, where he modified the back seat of his car so he could sleep, a true “car camper.” Chowder and a good lobster roll were favorites.

Baseball was a passion, and although he did not play favorites among Major League teams, he loved attending Mud Hens games at the Lucas County Recreation Center, timing his arrival with the final note of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. He could watch a game for a dollar.

Any time of year, he enjoyed ice cream—nothing fancy—but a trip to Mr. Freeze was always special.

He stayed in the market to the end. On the day of his passing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average marked the historic milestone of 50,000.

A columbarium-site service will be held at St. Rose Cemetery in Perrysburg on Saturday, February 14, at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to the Way Public Library. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com