Joseph Niedzielski

Joseph Niedzielski, 92, passed into the Light on Friday, 3 April, 2020 after a year of battling cancer. The fifth of the 11 children of Joseph and Sophia (Szetelo), Joe was born and raised on the family farm in West Springfield. He was a graduate of West Side High and served in the Navy toward the end of WWII. Mechanically skilled and trained, he worked in machine repair at several manufactories, ending his career at Digital Equipment Corp. Joe married Anna “Mary” Panek in 1951 and they settled with their gang of six In Westfield. A strong man devoted to his faith, Joe was active in Holy Trinity Church serving on the parish council and as a CCD teacher, lector and Eucharistic minister. He is best remembered as one of the prominent soloists in the church choir, performing at many weddings and funerals. He and Mary were in the first group of Associates of the Sisters of Providence. An avid golfer, when he wasn't on the links Joe worked on projects on his home, finding time to help out on projects on his siblings' and children's homes. But his greatest loves were working with earth and with wood. He freely shared the bounty of his vegetable garden and the wonderful Furniture he created in his home shop, including many pieces for Genesis Spiritual Life Center. Joe was predeceased by his wife Mary and daughter MaryAnn Fox. He leaves a legacy of heartfelt sharing to his children: Jim of Southampton, Liz and husband Alan of Holyoke, Joe and wife Cindy of Easthampton, Mike and wife Fran of Methuen, Kathy of Westfield, and son-in-law Ray Fox of Southwick; his grandchildren: Jennifer Hathaway, Matthew, Benjamin and Patrick Niedzlelski; as well as his great grandchildren, Celeste and Chase Hathaway. He is survived by his siblings: Frances Agustinowitz of FL, Donald Niedzielski of Westfield, and Claire LaCroix of Chicopee. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staff at the Genesis Center, Westfield, for their tender and devoted care of our father. A service for the immediate family will be held Thursday at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield. www.firtionadams.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Holy Trinity Church or the charity of choice.

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