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This month, Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors is pleased to introduce you to a couple who likely needs no introduction: John, Jr. “Bucko” and Donna Blosinski. The Blosinskis have a long history and deep family roots here in Edgmont Township, and their service to our community and
beyond has been recognized for close to a century.
The Blosinski family first settled on a property in Edgmont when Bucko’s Grandfather, Stanley, purchased a 60-acre parcel of land on Delchester Rd in 1927. Then, in 1938, Stanley bought the adjacent 48-acre parcel. “My grandfather began raising pigs on the farm,” Bucko said. “At its height, the farm had over 2,500 pigs and 100 steer.” Bucko’s father, John Sr., worked on the farm and lived in the original farmhouse with his parents, his brother Edward and his sister Florence.
Bucko explained that his grandfather began forming relationships with area grocery stores and restaurants to pick up their edible scraps, which he used to feed the pigs. The demand for edible waste disposal and Stanley Blosinski’s services continued to grow to include The Glen Mills School, Blue Ribbon Foods and major Philadelphia food manufacturers like Pillsbury, TastyKake and Pepperidge Farms.
Over time, the Blosinski’s waste removal business became equally as successful as their pig farm. “There was such a demand for business and household waste disposal services that my parents, John and Kathleen (J&K), decided to formally establish J&K Trash Removal, Inc. in 1969,” Bucko explained. “By this time, my grandfather had given my father one half of the farm and my uncle the other half.” The farm transformed from raising pigs to growing corn, barley and wheat. Bucko’s uncle Edward lived in the original farmhouse with his family, and Bucko moved with his parents to a modest cape cod home on the adjacent property. “I loved growing up with my cousins on the farm,” Bucko said. “We worked long, hard 15-hour days, but we also had a lot of fun.”
Growing up in a small town like Edgmont also meant that you knew everyone, especially the Miller family. You may recall that, in our December 2022 issue of Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors, we featured Elmer “Chip” Miller III and his sister Joanne and detailed their long family history in
Edgmont. It turns out that Chip and Joanne’s cousin, Donna, caught the eye of Bucko in the late 1970s. “I was friends with Donna’s older brother,” Bucko said. “When I met Donna, I knew she was the one.”
Donna and Bucko began dating in 1977 and married in 1980. “It’s funny because our family’s connections go much deeper than Bucko knowing my brother,” Donna explained. “My great-grandfather was good friends with Bucko’s grandfather.” She added that they were such good family friends that Donna’s grandfather actually built the original pig stalls on the Blosinski’s farm.
Bucko and Donna decided to build a large, colonial home on the farm in 1984 and welcomed their son, John III, to the family the following year. When Bucko’s parents decided to retire in 1990, he and Donna took over the trash removal business and their half of the farm. “My uncle Edward decided to sell his half of the farm around that time,” Bucko explained. “A developer bought it and built the Summerhill community of homes.”
He added that the builder kept the original farmhouse, restored and renovated it for a new family to enjoy.
The Blosinski’s daughter Jean was born in 1991, and their son Jacob was born in 1993. “We had some really great times with the kids on the farm,” Donna said. “We hosted a lot of gatherings with family and friends over the years.”
Both of Donna and Bucko’s sons graduated from Malvern Prep, and their daughter, Jean, from Villa Maria Academy. Their boys played baseball at Newtown Edgmont Little League (NELL), and the Blosinskis have always been big supporters. Jean played softball for Newtown Square Petticoat League, Villa Maria and Stars Travel Softball.
Their oldest son, John III, now operates J&K Trash Removal and lives next door to Bucko and Donna with his wife, Amy, and their three children, Nora, Hanna and Maddie. “We love having our granddaughters right next door,” Bucko said. “In fact, our youngest, Maddie, loves to sit on her front porch with her binoculars, waiting for us to come home.” Donna added that having so much land allows Hanna to enjoy goose hunting and Nora to practice archery.
Donna and Bucko’s daughter, Jean, also works for the family business and lives in Garnet Valley with her husband, Brent Womer, and her stepson, Charlie. “Jean and Brent got married this past October,” Donna said. “It was a beautiful wedding held at the historic Star Barn at Stone Gables estate in Elizabethtown, PA.”
Sadly, Bucko and Donna lost their youngest son, Jacob, in 2014 when the J&K roll-off truck he was driving overturned on a windy road. Jacob was just 20 years old and described as the most kind-hearted, selfless person you’ve ever met. Jacob enjoyed spending time with his nieces, whom he loved very much, and also hanging out with his friends. “After we lost Jacob, we decided to honor his memory by holding an annual golf tournament,” Donna said. “Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Mike Rowe’s Work Foundation.” The foundation awards money through the Work Ethic Scholarship Program to help people get trained for skilled and trade jobs that are in demand.
Giving back to the community is very important to Donna and Bucko. “Back when our kids were younger, we used to host bonfire nights on the farm to raise money that would benefit the 9/11 Fund,” explained Bucko. “We also regularly donate to NELL and other local youth organizations.” J&K Trash Removal is also committed to sponsoring our hometown magazine, being one of the first Sponsors to come on board when the magazine was first published.
These days, Bucko and Donna are enjoying retirement. They lease their farmland to a local farmer who grows corn and barley. Their granddaughters have a few chickens on the farm, too. “We love looking out our window at all the beautifully maintained farmland and appreciate that now someone else is taking care of it,” laughed Bucko.
Family comes first for Donna and Bucko — so much so that they have a long-standing tradition of going out to lunch with their kids every Wednesday. “And every summer, for more than 20 years, we held a picnic for our employees, their families and friends where there were close to 500 people!” Donna said.
When it’s time to hit the road, Donna and Bucko love to spend their summer days with their toes in the water in Brigantine, NJ, and head south during the winter to enjoy the warm, sunny beaches in North Fort Myers, Florida. They also love having their kids and grandkids vacation with them.
For as much as they love to travel, Donna and Bucko love living in Edgmont more. “We have no plans on moving anytime soon,” Bucko said. “Unless, of course, Jean and her family want to move back. Then I guess Donna and I will give them this house, and we’ll move into the shed!” Not so sure
Donna agrees with that plan, Bucko!
Thank you, Donna and Bucko, for sharing your story with your Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors. You are genuinely honoring the hard work and dedication of the generations before you and setting an example for the generations to come.
Do you know a Newtown Edgmont family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.