Roger T. Lichwala 1945 – 2013 INDIAN ORCHARD – Roger T. Lichwala, 67, passed away June 19, 2013 at Life Care Center of Wilbraham with his loving wife and friends by his side. Born in Springfield to the late Teofil and Mary (Czupta) Lichwala, he was a lifelong area resident.
Roger was a proud Eagle Scout and a member of the Polish American Citizens Club of Ludlow. He had worked at Taylor Rental, Willow Laboratories, Bank of New England, and was most recently the Administrative Assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Indian Orchard.
Roger Lichwala was a legendary drummer in the polka industry and was known for his dynamic and powerful drumming style. He served as a role model for generations of drummers who aspired to emulate his driving sound and steady beat. In his early years, Roger performed with Bob Sawicki’s New Englanders, Happy Louis, Julcia and Jimmy Sturr. In 1969, he formed the Golden Brass Orchestra which took the polka world by storm with their 60 minute sets and unusual instrumentation: 2 trumpets, 2 accordions, drums and bass. The band was renamed the New Brass Orchestra, one of the top travelling polka groups in the industry. In 1971, the band won 3 International Polka Association (IPA) awards: Best Instrumental Group, Best LP “Let the Sunshine In,” and Best Single Song, “Let the Sunshine In.” The New Brass took the polka world by storm with their original songs, personality, fun-loving style and their ability to relate to all ages. The drive of Roger’s drums and their use of non-traditional instruments, flugel horns, banjos, concertinas, and fiddles, excited the polka world. They played all the major polka festivals and traveled to many different countries to entertain fans with the driving sound of Roger and the New Brass.
He leaves his wife of 40 years, Sandra (Kokoszka) Lichwala; his godchildren, Michael Chlastawa and Jeffrey Czupta; his mother-in-law, Mary Kokoszka, and many friends. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 24, 2013 assembling at 12:00 p.m. at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services and proceeding to Immaculate Conception Church for a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday, June 23, 2013 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. For full details, visit nowakfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker St., Indian Orchard MA 01151.
Courtesy of The Republican Massachusetts Web Site
