Boleslaw E. Brzoska, 77, of West Grove, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, surrounded by his loving family at ChristianaCareHospital. He was the spouse of Alicja (Dziegielewska) Brzoska, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Born in Peczerzyno, Poland, he was the son of the late Edward and Bronislawa (Grabowska) Brzoska. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Lucja (Miroslaw) Zaionc.
Boleslaw Brzoska
In his youth, Boleslaw attended Gdansk University of Technology. While living in Poland, he served in the Polish Army and after a brief period was promoted to a corporal; he also received two exemplary soldier medals. He worked for various companies with the last employment at Port Gdynia where he managed operations and logistics of the shipping activities as well as managing compliance documentation for overall transportation regulations.
He immigrated to the United States in 1987 with his wife and daughter.
Boleslaw was an avid fan of tennis and soccer. In his spare time, Boleslaw enjoyed listening to music, reading, and traveling with his wife and family. He visited many places in the States and abroad. He had a special love for disadvantaged children, the poor, and animals, and will be missed for his generosity towards others less fortunate. Boleslaw will be remembered for his quick wit, hospitality, and love of nature and the outdoors.
He was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in West Grove.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Joanna Botial, and husband, Gregory; and by his granddaughter, Danielle, who was very precious to him. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lucyna Ogieglo and family, his brothers-in-law: Zbigniew Dziegielewski and family, Zenon Dziegielewski and family, John Dziegielewski and family, and Marek Dziegielewski and family; and his niece, Alicja Zmijewska and family.
You are invited to visit with Boleslaw’s family and friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 300 State Road, West Grove, PA 19390. His funeral mass will begin at noon. Interment will immediately follow the mass at St. Hedwig Cemetery, 470 Eggerts Crossing Road, Ewing Township, NJ 08638.
Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
Dr. Joseph Allen Kobeski, 53, of Kennett Square, died suddenly of an apparent heart attack, doing what he loved best, hunting on his farm with friends, on Saturday morning Dec. 9. He was the beloved husband of Jena Elise (Iannuzzelli) Kobeski, with whom he shared 14 years of marriage. Born in Chicago, Ill., he was a son of the late Walter Dan Kobeski and Virginia Born Kobeski of Kennewick, Wash.
Joseph Kobeski
Although Joe’s loss leaves a void in the lives of those who loved him, his spirit will live on as a reminder to embrace life fearlessly and cherish the moments we have.
Dr. Kobeski graduated from Washington State University where he double majored in finance and real estate. After a successful career in finance, he decided upon a career change and returned to school to study dentistry. He attended Temple University School of Dental Medicine where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007. He completed his endodontic residency at the University of Pittsburgh in 2009.
Joe was the founder and owner of Keystone Endodontics in Lancaster. His patients (some of them, anyway!) loved when he sang country songs while performing root canals. He was a member of the American Association of Endodontists.
Joe embraced the phrase “Go big or go home” for virtually all aspects of his life. He was widely appreciated for his ability to bring people together with his mixology skills and gourmet cooking. Joe mastered or became certified in many skill sets, including (but certainly not limited to) scuba diving, downhill mogul skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, camping, and home beer brewing. He was an avid hunter and fisherman of all types of wild game and fish and collected just about every piece of equipment known in those sports. While he cherished every expedition, his family farm held a special place in his heart, providing him with countless memories and moments of tranquility.
In addition to his wife and mother, Joe is survived by his two daughters, Elise and Kara, whom he adored; two brothers, Michael Dan Kobeski of Kennett Square and Jim Kobeski and his wife, Sarah of Puyallup, Wash.; one sister, Tricia Fotheringham and her husband, Robert of Kennewick, Wash.; his in-laws, Ronald and Jane Iannuzzelli of Glen Mills; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, contributions in his memory may be made to a fund that will help support Joe’s daughters and their future education aspirations. https://www.tmcfunding.com/funds/joseph-kobeski/8987/
You are invited to Joseph’s viewing with family and friends from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, at Willowdale Chapel, 675 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Guests will have the option to greet the family and/or pass through the viewing line. Joe’s life celebration funeral service will follow at 4. Please feel free to dress “business casual.” Interment will be held privately.
Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visitwww.griecofunerals.com
The classic Twelve Days of Christmas may include lords a-leaping, ladies dancing, and a few too many birds, but Yuletide at Winterthur styles the holiday a bit differently this year. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library has added a variety of new displays, including “Twelve Days of Christmas,” a fantastical toy train display that presents antique favorites for children both young and young at heart.
“I got my first set when I was four, and it has been all downhill ever since,” said Kirk Lindvig, the chief engineer, conductor, and designer of the display. The display features trains from Lindvig’s own collection of Lionel Standard Gauge model toy trains, as well as a wide variety of tracks, stations, figurines, landscapes, and more. Introduced in 1906, the trains are larger than many of the sets seen at other holiday train displays and in homes.
An Ode to the Quince
Original sets would have been powered by “wet-cell” batteries, glass jars filled with acid and lead plates, or plugged directly into lamp outlets in homes lucky enough to have steady electricity. The setup at Winterthur is considerably more modern, with over 800 feet of track running through five different loops—no jars of acid in sight. The trains include a mix of antique trains and more modern reproductions, which were made by Williams Electric Trains starting in the 1970s and other Standard-gauge train engineers in more recent years.
This is the second year of the train display at Winterthur. It takes over the Brown Horticulture Learning Center, creating a lovely winter wonderland and a perfect spot to take a break on a chilly winter day. “Kids connect with these trains,” said Jeannette Lindvig, Kirk’s wife who has been part of the Winterthur community for many years. But based on the curious visitors who stopped in as the display was being created, it brings warm memories to visitors of all ages.
Fashion at Yuletide.
Lindvig is familiar with creating holiday magic through train displays, having worked on the Brandywine Railroad at the Brandywine Museum of Art for decades. When it came to creating this display, he decided to indulge in his love for the larger Standard Gauge trains. “I woke up at 3 a.m. to a vision of the track lines and displays,” he said. It includes an inventive two-story train station with regular announcements of arrivals and departures, skaters on a frozen pond, various woodland creatures, a small amusement park, and much more. The background shows an idyllic mountain scene, a recreation of art from antique train catalogs.
It is a unique Yuletide at Winterthur this year. Inspired by Ann Lowe: American Couturier, on view through Jan. 7, the displays feature custom fashion by local designers Shawn Pinckney and Asata Maisé Beeks. Even the decorated trees have a fashionable twist, with finery, fabrics, gowns, and cocktail party scenes fit for the height of glamour. (To find out more about Ann Lowe: American Couturier, check out this article in Chadds Ford Live.)
There are many other surprises, including a giant gingerbread replica of the Enchanted Woods, outdoor light displays, the towering Dried-Flower Tree made with flowers and herbs grown on the grounds, and many other decorative touches. Keep an eye out as you travel through the grounds—ornaments made by local ceramic artist Samara Weaver are hidden along the paths, which visitors lucky enough to find are invited to take home and enjoy.
Dried flower tree.
There are also hints of more to come, including a few pieces from the upcoming Transformations: Contemporary Artists at Winterthur exhibition on display, such as the larger-than-life vibrant dress made from iconic fabric rosettes, greenery, and decorative elements by artist and designer Katya Roelse. The exhibit will show contemporary art which reflects artistic connections to Winterthur’s collections.
“Jeannette and I both love Winterthur,” said Lindvig. “This is our way of giving back.” Their contribution of trains, time, and technology, as well as his fellow Standard Gauge enthusiasts who will bring their own trains to show off during the exhibit, invites everyone to enjoy the ride as they go full steam ahead through the holiday season.
Yuletide at Winterthur is on display through January 7. The “Twelve Days of Christmas” toy train display will be open from Dec. 22, through Jan. 2. Ann Lowe: American Couturier is on view through Jan. 7, 2024. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is located at 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington. More information can be found at Winterthur.org.
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
