Joseph R. Ofcarcik

"South Hadley, Joseph R. Ofcarcik, 89, of Amherst Rd. died Saturday, May 6, 2006, at Wingate of South Hadley. Born in Holyoke, February 8, 1917, he was the son of the late John A. & Victoria M. (Krutka) Ofcarcik. He grew up in Holyoke then moved to South Hadley and has resided here since 1946. Joe served his country in WWII as an Army Staff Sgt and was a former communicant of St. Theresa’s Church in South Hadley. He worked as a personnel manager for the Brown Company for 40 years. Joe was an accomplished jazz pianist and belonged to the Springfield and Berkshire County Musicians Union; he also performed with many local bands and on his own. He enjoyed traveling to Germany and other European countries and the western United States. He was an avid rock and mineral collector and a member of the Connecticut Valley Mineral Club and took great pleasure in making educational presentations to area grade schools. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Ruth (Marois) Ofcarcik in 2005. He is survived by his three sons, Bruce and his wife Jane of Jacksonville, FL, Glenn and his wife Rosemary of MA, and James and his wife Amy of Taylorville, IL. He is also survived by his seven granddaughters, his sister Elaine and her husband Dr. Herbert Boschung of Tuscaloosa, AL along with 5 nephews and 2 nieces. He was predeceased by his sisters Anna Kovalsky, Mary Kuzmuck and Alice Gionfriddio. Calling hours will held on Friday, May 12, 2006 from 4 -7 from the Beers and Story South Hadley Funeral Home. There will be a Liturgy of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Theresa’s Church followed by burial in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home for 8:30 a.m. or meet directly at the church. For those wishing, donations may be made in his memory to South Hadley Ambulance Association, District #2, South Hadley, MA 01075."