Theodore 'Joe' Hoczela, 84

ADAMS, Mass. — Mr. Theodore Joseph "Joe" Hoczela, 84, of Adams died Wednesday afternoon, October 19, 2016, at Williamstown Commons.

He was born in Adams on December 28, 1931, a son of the late Joseph and Leona (Lepak) Hoczela. He attended Adams schools and graduated from the former Adams High School with the Class of 1949. Joe was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving with the 39th Infantry Regiment of the US Army, stationed in Germany, until his Honorable Discharge in 1954.

He last worked for the US Postal Service at the Adams Post Office, first as a carrier, and later as a clerk, until retiring after 34 years of service. Earlier, he had worked at the former Berkshire Fine Spinning Co. and the former Arnold Print Works in Adams, and at General Electric Co. in Pittsfield.

He was a communicant of the Parish of St. John Paul II at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, and was a member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Society. He enjoyed traveling and attending Polish music festivals with his wife, and was an avid bowler. In his younger years, he played semi-pro basketball for the Adams Saints, and had twice played against the Harlem Globetrotters.

Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Kathleen T. Caffrey, whom he married on October 13, 1956 in the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams; his daughter, Anne Louise Aldrich of Cheshire; his son, Joseph Hoczela of New Fairfield, Conn.; two grandsons, Joseph and Jeffrey Hoczela of North Carolina; a granddaughter, Caitlin, of Bedford, Mass.; a great-granddaughter, Emily, of North Carolina; his nephew, Frederick Sawyer and his wife, Donna, of Savoy; a niece, Virginia Girard and her husband, Michael, of Connecticut; as well as numerous other nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He also leaves his furry companions, Jessie and Smokey.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Freida Sawyer; and his stepbrothers, Edward, Frank and John Stefanski.

Funeral notice: The funeral will be held on Saturday, October 22, at 9 a.m. from the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, celebrated by Rev. Robert Miskell. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams.

Calling hours are Friday, October 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201.