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WILKES-BARRE — Retired Superior Court Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Sr. died Saturday at age 90, having been a member of the bar for more than a half-century.
Looking back on his life, his son, former Luzerne County District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr., said his father had had a wonderful life, accomplishing all the things he set out to do: creating a great loving family of which he was the centerpiece, and a law career which included 15 years on the county bench followed by 22 years on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
A committed family man, he and wife, June, together had four children: Olszewski Jr., Paul Peter Olszewski II, John Alexander Olszewski and Mary June Olszewski Hoda.
They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in August.
Before graduating from Lafayette College in 1948 and from St. John’s School University School of Law in 1952, the senior Olszewski was “a very proud veteran of the United States Army,” his namesake son said, serving in combat in World War II, remaining in contact with his comrades from all over the country.
As a lawyer and then as a judge, he was well known for his commitment to integrity.
“Those who came into contact with him universally admired his dedication to the rule of law,” Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. said. “He treated everyone fairly whether prince or pauper, prosecutor or defense attorney.”
He also described his father as “a judge’s judge,” earning the respect of his of his peers as he first took the bench as a county judge and then as a Superior Court judge.
“When my father won his seat on the Superior Court in 1983, he had spent less than $100,000 on his campaign,” said Olszewski Jr. “He didn’t rely on a political machine.”
Olszewski Jr. said he believed his dad paved the way for others who aspired to run for state appellate court.
He also remembered his father as a wonderful golfer, outdoor enthusiast and hunter.
“I would often spend time in my father’s courtroom,” he said, “where my father would point out lawyers to emulate.”
Among his many contributions and throughout his career, Olszewski Sr. earned many awards and recognitions, according to a previous Times Leader article, including the Liberty Under Law Award, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Distinguished Law and Justice Award of the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Pennsylvania, as well as the Distinguished Law and Justice Award of County and State Detectives Association of Pennsylvania.