Businessman Maintains Family Values of Giving and Volunteerism

ENFIELD, CT — Following the example set by a number of admired predecessors in his community, including his own dad, local businessman Rich Tkacz exemplifies a spirit of giving and volunteerism which has almost gone by the wayside in modern society.

Since founding Rich's Oil (now Rich's Oil, Heating, Plumbing & Air Conditioning) in 1986, Tkacz has been among the most willing donors of time, energy and resources to various organizations in need of assistance.

From a farming community of just over 15,000 residents during his youth, to a small city nearly three times that size today, Tkacz symbolizes Enfield through and through.

"I'm a Raider born and bred, and when I die I'll be a Raider dead," he quipped during an interview with Patch Friday.

His father Dick owned Dick's Petroleum Products, and Tkacz began making deliveries at age 14.

"My sister was 16 and could drive, but she couldn't work the stick shift, so she'd work the clutch and I'd shift," he recalled with a laugh.

After earning a degree in computer science at Hartford State Technical College, he worked for Combustion Engineering for about six months, but then decided, "this is not for me," and returned to work for his dad. When Dick Tkacz opted to retire, his son took over the business, and ran it for three or four years until problems ensued.

In time, "the oil embargo got to me and credit got me, and we lost our business," Tkacz admitted. He went to work for Tony Troiano at a company called Dick's Discount Oil, and stayed there until deciding to try making it on his own in 1986.

"My dad worked hard in this business, and I decided I didn't want to be a failure if I'm going to give it another shot," he said. "I put my picture in the paper and bought two oil trucks, then sold 300,000 gallons that first year. Last year, we did 2 million gallons."

He operated for 16 years out of a home at 179 North Maple Street, then purchased the current site of the company at 12 Moody Road in 2002 - a house formerly owned by Frank and Louise Pilch of Pilch Farm fame.

Tkacz's sense of giving back to his community was instilled in him from a very young age.

"My father always said if you do good things for people, they'll do good things for you," he said. "I'd rather do good things for people because of the satisfaction you get from the looks on people's faces when you do something good for them."

When he was 16, he volunteered with the Hazardville Fire Department, becoming a firefighter at 18 and serving some time on Squad 5. "I loved the passion and excitement," he said.

He spent 10 years as an active firefighter, and later returned to serve in another volunteer capacity. Since 2005, he has been a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners in the village, and is currently the commission chair.

Volunteer work does not stop there for Tkacz. He is past president of the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Enfield Rotary Club, earning Paul Harris Fellow recognition, the highest honor accorded a Rotarian. He is past treasurer of the Asnuntuck Community College Foundation, and served stints on the boards of directors of Johnson Memorial Hospital, Eastern Connecticut Health Network and Rockville Bank.

A recent example of his dedication to helping those in need is the success of the 13th annual Turkey Drive to benefit the Enfield Food Shelf. Started in 2008 by one of his employees, last month's drive netted 69 turkeys and $1,030 in cash, providing meals for 4,408 people in need.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the national and local American Legions did not sponsor a baseball program for the first time in decades. Faced with the likelihood that players would be forced to sit out all summer, Tkacz came to the rescue, sponsoring Enfield teams at the U19, U17 and U15 levels in the CT Elite Baseball Association.

"It excited me to see the smiles on the kids' faces - that made it all worth it," he said.

His daughter, Sarah Marrella, added, "He was able to provide them a season, including a big game at Dunkin' Donuts Park [home of the Hartford Yard Goats]."

Marrella and her sister, Jennifer Gannon, work with their dad every day. Marrella is the office manager, while Gannon handles financial and bookkeeping duties.

"He treats us equally, and shows no favoritism toward us," Marrella said.

Tkacz relishes the opportunity to spend time with his family on both a personal and professional level.

"I'm fortunate both of my daughters work with me," he beamed. "I've got seven grandkids, and they are all within a 5-mile radius of me."

In typical humble fashion, he stopped answering questions about himself, in order to discuss his pride and joy.

"I have one granddaughter receiving her Gold Award, the highest in Girl Scouts, and a grandson is nearing completion of his Eagle Scout requirements.

"I am a lucky guy, no doubt about it."

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