Joseph Thomas Pochatko
seph Thomas Pochatko Joseph Pochatko, age 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Twinbrook Medical Center. He had been in failing health for some time. Born in Sheffield, Pa. on March 26, 1928, Joseph was the son of the late Michael C. and Anna Pochatko. He served in the U.S. Army as a male nurse from 1950 to 1952 and was discharged with the rank of Corporal. He was employed as a fitter for 43 years for Erie City Iron Works, later Zurn Energy Light Fabrication Division. Joe was a member of the Cursillo movement, having experienced it in 1985. He was a member of DANK â€" the German Heritage Society, the ATS,
His family meant a lot to him and he loved taking care of his young nieces and nephews before his marriage. He loved to travel. Joe enjoyed cooking and helping his wife cater weddings. His love of flowers and gardening was reflected in the meticulous care of his flower gardens and starting various trees and shrubs to give to friends and family. He was a devout member of St. Stanislaus R.C. Church where he had served as an usher and was a member of the Men’s Society. He was preceded in death by a son, Philip Pochatko; five brothers, George, John, Stephen, Michael and Andrew; three sisters, Verna Johnston, Anna Reagan and Mary Lepkowski; his nephews, John Pochatko, Jr. and Stanley Lepkowski; and a niece, Maria Gephart. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Beverly Jant Pochatko; two sons, Martin J. Pochatko of Erie and Karl W. Pochatko of Albion; two daughters, Melissa Lesniewski (John) and Kathryn Sorensen of Saluda, Va.; seven grandchildren, Sherri Saurwine (David), Timothy Lesniewski (Melissa), Mark Lesniewski, Elizabeth Foster, Brandon Sorensen, Madeline Pochatko and Alexander Field; three great-grandchildren, Kortney, Christopher and Jeremy Saurwine; a brother, Paul Pochatko of Hope Mills, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Helen Pochatko (George); many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., West, 536 West 10th Street on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a Prayer Service there on Monday at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus R.C. Church at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery with full Military Honors accorded by American Legion Carl Neff Post #571. Memorial contributions may be made to John Kanzius Cancer Research, 915 State St., Erie, PA 16501. To send condolences, visit
www.dusckasfuneralhome.com.
Erie Times-News from 7/17 to 7/19/2009,
St. Stanislaus R.C. Church,"