Richard Plotkin

On the Friday of Nov. 10, 2023 at 8:30 am, Richard A Plotkin, of Scranton Pennsylvania, passed away after complications from a stroke, under Hospice at St. Mary’s Villa in Elmhurst Township. Richard was 82 years old.

Richard was born on June 27, 1941 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the third child, and second son, of Joseph and Tillie Arenberg Plotkin.

Richard is remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, entrepreneur, and bandmate. He continued the tradition of owning and operating the family shoe business, JG Plotkin & Sons Shoes, servicing the community with shoes and work boots. 

Richard was a man of many interests. Besides music, and managing his own record label, Debra Records, he had an entrepreneurial spirit and started several small companies selling toys, stuffed animals, and electric trains. He took up running and ran over a dozen marathons including the NYC marathon and Boston marathon. His sons fondly remember running laps around Lake Scranton with him while he was training. He went back to college later in life, and obtained his Masters degree in Criminal Justice at Marywood University (class of 1987) at the age of 45. He was always interested in the law, though he never paid attention to the parking regulations in downtown Scranton, preferring to park illegally behind his store. 

He was always the life of the party, and could often be found at festivals and events around town playing music with one of his Doo-wop bands, The Magics and The Paramounts, writing and arranging songs, or in the recording studio working with one of the many bands he produced. In more recent years his grandkids had the opportunity to watch him perform on the main stage at La Festa. 

Richard is survived by his sister, Adele Pollack; his two sons, Steven (Michelle) and Michael (Kendra); his former wife and best friend Carol Plotkin (thus proving anything is possible); three grandchildren whom he adored; several nieces and nephews who called him their “cool uncle”; and many extended family and good friends. 

The funeral service will be at 11am on Sunday November 12 at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Rabbi Miriam Spitzer and Cantor Vladimir Aronzon of Temple Israel will officiate. Interment will take place in the Temple Israel Cemetery. Shiva will be held Sunday 5-7pm at 724 Winola Road, Clarks Summit. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.