Joseph J. Wozniak, 88, of North Haven passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford. He was the beloved husband of Rita Rolak Wozniak. Joseph was born in Dickson City, Pennsylvania on February 8, 1928; son of the late John and Amelia Jaruszkiewicz Wozniak and had served his country faithfully in the US Navy during WW II and the Korean War. He was an accomplished Tool and Die Maker, where he enjoyed over 40 years in the field of precision Tool and Die Making. Joseph was a State Certified Instructor for the CT Aquatic Resources Education Program (Department of Environmental Protection-Bureau of Fisheries) and for over 25 years he worked tirelessly in educating Connecticut residents in all aspects of fishing. And was also an active member of the Milford Striped Bass Club. Father of Deborah (Owen) Little and Stephen (Anne) Wozniak. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Predeceased by a brother and five sisters.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Monday morning at 11:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Therese Church at 12 Noon. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Sunday from 3 to 6 pm.
My sympathy to Rita,
Deborah, Steve and all the family. My prayers are with you. May God be especially close to you at this difficult time.
Steve and Mrs Wozniak very sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your entire family.
Sending thoughts and prayers.
Rita and Family:
Joe gave thousands of kids and adults a chance to spend a fun time together outdoors. Joe helped bring generations together using his passion for teaching others useful, outdoor skills. Joe was critically important to organizing the first-ever ice fishing classes and trips in CT nearly 30 years ago. Everyone on the frozen lakes seemed to migrate over to Joe for the stories, to get some hot food from Joe's Kuchnia Polska, or to just warm up inside Joes' big icefishing house. Joe was a friend and mentor to many, often running into them around town, being called "the Fishing Guy." I count Joe among my most generous friends as he always bought me a late-night meal at the diner following an evening fishing class, or when he sold me one of his boat/trailer/motors at a great discount. When Joe took my brother and I fishing in his boat, we caught bluefish, blackfish, flounder and striped bass all on the same trip! Joe was larger than life in his hometown of North Haven and across many of the lakes across Connecticut. I will miss my pal Joe, but am all the better for having enjoyed so many fun and exciting times with him over the last 3 decades.
Rita, I am so sorry for your loss. My prays are for you and your family in your time of sorrow.
Rita and Deb,
Very sorry for your loss. I just found out about it now (6/18/2016), thanks to an email from the Milford Striped Bass Club (thank you Harry). Joe was a very good friend of mine throughout the years. Always laughing and joking. He saved my butt a few times on some of the crazy fishing episodes we went on. …12 foot monster waves fishing off Montauk, near hurricane conditions fishing in the interclub, etc. Anyway, he just shrugged off the bad weather and just laughed at me panicking. He taught me the meaning of "keeping cool". I will miss you Joe and all the good times we had. Good bless you.