Joseph Michalczik

October 25, 1936 - October 29, 2014

Joseph Michalczik, age 78, of Sun City, Arizona and Port Angeles passed away peacefully with his family in Tucson on Wednesday, October 29, 2014.

He was born in Fairview, Pennsylvania, on October 25, 1936, the son of the late Harry and Anna Petryk Michalczik.

Joe graduated from Fairview High School and joined the Air Force. There, he discovered his quest for learning and attained the rank of staff sergeant and was a Korean War veteran.

He later enrolled at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and achieved his degree in electrical engineering.

Joe moved out west to Washington state and worked first for Boeing in Seattle, Washington, and later for Crown Zellerbach, James River and Daishowa in Port Angeles.

He was maintenance superintendent, a project engineer and ran two hydroelectric dams on the Elwha River.

Joe was very active in the community and was a board member at the YMCA, was on the utilities commission, was an active member of Rotary and was a professional engineer.

Joe loved the outdoors, hiking, mountaineering, fishing and camping.

After Joe retired, he shared his time between Port Angeles and Sun City, where he made great friends. He was a wonderful caregiver as his beloved wife, Maxine, fought a prolonged illness.

In addition to his parents, Joe was welcomed by his loving wife, Maxine. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Michael, Emil, Daniel and Edward Michalczik; and three sisters, Rose Hoehn, Helen Horodynski and Martha Gresh.

Joe is survived by his son, Jim, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer; and his two grandsons, Max and Chase. He is also survived by his sister Mary LaPaglia and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral is planned for today, November 2, 2014, at Best Funeral Chapel, 9380 West Peoria Avenue, Peoria, Arizona.

Joe will reach his final resting place at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona, with his beloved wife, Maxine.