RICHARD ROY KERZETSKI

Richard Roy Kerzetski, age 73, of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Richard was born March 16, 1948 in Perth Amboy, NJ. Rich served in the Army as an M.P. while stationed in Bayonne, New Jersey and, later, Vietnam. He graduated in 1975 from New Jersey Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Moving to Las Vegas the same year, he worked for O’rourke Plumbing and later joined Universal Plumbing & Heating Co. under then-owner Charles "Red" Englert. Rich later acquired Universal Plumbing & Heating Co. and has proudly run the company ever since. While never one to boast, Rich has proudly served the plumbing industry in many capacities. He had been a third-year instructor for the local apprenticeship program for twelve years for the Plumbing Mechanical Contractors of Nevada (PMCN), now the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Nevada (PHCC), and served two consecutive terms as president. On the national level, he served on the PHCC National Association’s Plumbing Curriculum Review Committee, the PHCC National Educational Foundation as a board member. He has also participated in legislative conferences, both local and national, apprenticeship competitions, conventions as well as many other endeavors to support the industry. Throughout his life, he managed to run into celebrities such as Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Andre Agassi. However, nothing could top when, in 2018, Rich was invited to the White House to meet President Donald J. Trump, a thrill and an honor for him which may be considered the pinnacle of his life. Later that same year, when it was thought life couldn’t become more fulfilling, he met O.J. Simpson at an In-n-out Burger. Richard is survived by Karen, his wife of 50 years, their 3 children: Brian and wife Dorothy, Sara and husband Rick Norris, and David and wife Channaly, 5 grandchildren: Ashlin, Benjamin, Wesley, Magdalena, and Alivia, as well as his brothers and sister: Charles and wife Rita, Charlotte and Husband Vince Hurly, and Gerald and wife Rena. Richard took pride in his Ukrainian Catholic heritage and was never able to resist a cry of "Svioty Bozhe!" or "Christos Voskrese!" when the time was right. Now, we cry out for him: "Vichnaya Pamyat (Eternal Memory)." A visitation for Richard will be held Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm South Jones Mortuary, 1600 South Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146. A funeral service will occur Friday, October 22, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Husband of Mary Roman Catholic Church, 7260 W. Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89117. Contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsouthjones.com for the Kerzetski family.