Born on Tuesday, May 20, 1947, in Lincolnshire, England and coming to the United States in 1952, Richard B. Solecki, after a courageous battle with Kidney Failure and Heart problems for several years, passed away at Buffalo General Hospital, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 73. Richard will be remembered for his many civic and charitable community contributions. He was a past Cheektowaga Town Councilman from 1987 - 1995, a Cheektowaga/Sloan School Board Member from 1976 to 1979, a past President of the Polish American Congress Western New York Division, from 2005 and held that position through 2015, a member of the General Pulaski Association, and active in various Polish-American organizations. A real estate broker for over 30 plus years for Hunt Real Estate and formerly worked in the Purchasing Department for Erie County and he was also a regional representative for Governor George Pataki and worked for the New York State Senate.

In 1981 Solecki and a group of others including WGRZ-TV news anchor Rich Kellman made a trip to Poland to discuss efforts to help the citizens. They met with Lech Walesa at his headquarters and were the first Western New Yorkers to have met with the future president. Walesa informed them of the severe medical need of a little girl named Emilia, who had a hole in her heart. Kellman did a series of news stories and Solecki pitched the idea to hold a telethon for the cause. Channel 2 held the first ethnic telethon, co-chaired by Solecki, which raised approximately $250,000. In 1982 or '83 he along with Erie County Executive Ed Rutkowski and a few others were able to get Emilia transported to Western New York for heart surgery by noted pediatric cardiologist Dr. Subramanian, who donated the surgery that saved her life.
He also worked together with a group of doctors – Dr. Jeffrey Meilman and Dr. Amar Atwal to form the Hope for Tomorrow Foundation and donated their work during the '80s and '90s to help dozens of Polish children.

Solecki helped organize another telethon in the 1980s on WKBW-TV Channel 7 that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as the Shoes for Poland drive and other events. He also attended  the first Solidarity Congress meeting, having a "front-row seat in history." His ties to Poland have been both professional and personal, visiting family and always trying to aid efforts to help Poles. He had visited Poland over 20 times and met Pope John Paul II nine times, once having been invited back specifically with colleagues and Emilia, who had fully recovered, to receive a blessing from the pope also while there he met and had dinner with Lech Walesa and his solidarity advisors Professor Gemerek, Professor Barsolewic, and Professor Mazowiecki.

Solecki has a collection of over 500 solidarity pins from around the world, as well as medals, books signed by Lech Welesa and Pope John Paul II, and even photos of the riots. His love for his Polish heritage was apparent as he conveys both his appreciation for the ability to support the Solidarity movement and a wistful desire to have been able to do more. He also was a recipient of a medal for Helping Poland from the Polish Episcopate.

Richard also loved spending many happy times fishing with his grandchildren, James and Emerson, or learning the trade of leaded glass and making pieces for his family and close friends, as well as learning the art of woodworking and collecting Polish memorabilia

He was married for 45 years to his beloved wife, Margaret (nee MacDonald) Solecki.

The loving and proud father of Heather (Neil) Morrissey and honored grandfather "Dzia Dzia" of James and Emerson.

Richard was the cherished son of the late Zbigniew J. Solecki, Sr. and late Jozefa Solecki.

The devoted brother of Helene (Paul) Bartus, Barbara (David) Fenski, and the late Zbigniew J. Jr. "Ziggy" (Mary) Solecki.

He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and several cousins.

As per Richard's wishes, his remains were donated to the University of Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine.

He will be truly missed by his family and community and a Memorial will be held at a later date.

The family prefers that donations be made in Richard's memory to the Kidney Foundation of WNY,  4444 Bryant and Stratton Road, Williamsville, New York 14221, or on the web at www.kfwny.org

The family appreciates your prayers and concerns for Richard, during these trying times and would like to thank you for your outpouring of love and support they have received.

Please take a minute to share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Richard's Tribute page.