John Allen Gwozdz

06/14/2004

John Allen Gwozdz, 57, of 198 Eagle St. died Sunday at North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was admitted May 20, following a long illness. He was a city councilor from 1990 to 2000, and had served as council president. He was defeated in his bid for mayor in 1999. Born in Adams on Aug. 31, 1946, son of John P. and Frances M. Champagne Gwozdz, he attended North Adams schools and graduated in 1964 from the former St. Joseph's High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering from the Lowell Technological Institute in 1969 and took several courses toward a master's degree in engineering at the University of Massachusetts. He also took many engineering courses at GE. At the time of his death, Mr. Gwozdz was employed as maintenance and facilities supervisor at Savage Arms Inc. in Westfield. He had been employed by Commonwealth Sprague Capacitor for two years, and in various positions by GE for 29 years, including as its facilities engineer when it closed much of its operations in Pittsfield several years ago. He was associated for many years with his father in the operation of the former Gwozdz & Sons TV and Appliance Store. He was a longtime communicant of Notre Dame Church, where he was a eucharistic minister, lector and usher. He was a past president of its parish council, and was active for 20 years on its bingo committee. He was an assistant coach for the North Adams Little League for several years and was president of the East League. He was a member of Elks Lodge 487. He and his wife, the former Gloria J. Choquette, were married Jan. 27, 1968. Besides his wife, he also leaves a son, John A. Gwozdz Jr. of Maynard; two daughters, Jennifer A. Annand of Dalton and Janine A. Gwozdz of Cohoes, N.Y.; a brother, Robert F. Gwozdz of Bethlehem, Ga., and four grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated for John Allen Gwozdz, who died June 14, 2004, on Thursday at 10 in St. Francis' Church by the Rev. Homer P. Gosselin, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church, Ludlow, and former pastor of Notre Dame Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at AUGE-SAN SOUCIE-SIMMONS FUNERAL HOME will be Wednesday from 4 to 7. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Eileen Barrett Foundation, VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire Inc. or to a charity of the donor's choice through the funeral home, 46 N. Church St., North Adams, MA 01247. He also leaves his son-in-law, Scott Annand; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Gwozdz; grandsons Domenic, Nathaniel and Zachariah Annand of Dalton, his granddaughter, Alyssa Gwodz of Maynard, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

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