Richard "Dick" W. Miska

Richard “Dick” W. Miska, 80, of Winsted, CT, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. He was the husband of Marie (Stankowski) Miska for 49 years.

Dick was born February 8, 1944, in Providence, RI, the son of the late William and Eloise (Tabor) Miska. Dick earned an associate degree in forestry from the University of New Hampshire. He began working for the State Park and Forest Commission in 1965 for a short time before he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served active duty for two years and then returned to a job with the State Park and Forest Commission. Dick continued serving in the naval reserves for another 22 years, and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He retired from DEEP having worked primarily in state parks during his 50 years of service. Dick loved anything to do with trains, especially steam engines. He loved to travel by train, talk about trains, and read about trains. He spent much of his final days in the hospital reading his favorite train magazines.

In addition to his wife Marie, he is survived by a son, Gregory Miska (Marisa Sotolongo) of South Windsor, CT; a daughter, Julianne Burns (Matthew) of North Haven, CT; grandchildren Xavier and Diana Miska, Braeden and Theodore Burns. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Miska.

Relatives and friends may call on Thursday morning, July 11th, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Cook Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (Our Lady of Hope Parish), 78 Litchfield Rd., Harwinton, CT 06791. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. with full military honors accorded at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, 22 N Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 06469. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ORTV, Inc., Office of Radio & Television, WJMJ Radio, 15 Peach Orchard Rd., Prospect, CT 06712 (www.ortv.org)