Joseph Paul Pawletko

Joseph Paul Pawletko, January 13, 1926 – July 4, 2012 Joseph Paul Pawletko, of Westfield, IN, formerly of Endwell, New York, passed away peacefully at the St. Vincent Hospital Hospice unit with family in attendance. He was preceded in death by his parents: Helen and Augustyn Pawletko; his beloved wife of 55 years, Victoria "Vicky" Pawletko and his grandson, Jonathan Ransdell. He is survived by his children: Terese Pawletko (husband James Spicer), Mari Ransdell (husband Jeffrey), Suzanne Recomendes (husband Joseph), Joann Pawletko-Mathews (husband Mark), Joseph G. Pawletko (wife Lori Beth Dixon); grandchildren: Joseph (wife Dana) Recomendes, Nicole Recomendes; Nicholas Ransdell, Patrick Ransdell, Christopher Ransdell; and Kira Pawletko. Joe was born on January 13, 1926 in Chorzow, Poland. After the German Invasion of Poland, he refused to join the Hitler youth and consequently, was no longer allowed to attend school. He then apprenticed as an electrician but was ultimately forced into service for the German Navy. He was able to join the Allied Forces when France was liberated and fought in Italy until the war was over. He lived in Italy for a period after the war, and then London, before moving to the United States. He attended Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, where he earned his electrical and mechanical engineering degrees. He worked his way through school using the skills he learned as a youth, repairing televisions and radios. Vicky and Joe met at the wedding of mutual friends, marrying on June 13, 1953. Upon graduating from Stevens, Joe and his young family relocated to Endicott, NY where he began a long and productive career with IBM, earning 26 patents and the prestigious distinction of being named an IBM Fellow. His many hobbies and interests included traveling in the US and abroad, camping, skiing, swimming, sailing, photography, music, dancing, drawing, gardening and woodworking. Joe was active in the upstate NY community where he lived for over 40 years: some of the original members of the Kopernik Cultural Society of Broome County assisting in the planning and fundraising for the Kopernick Observatory in Vestal, NY, worked with the American Civic Association to help Polish immigrants get settled in the US and volunteered at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Endicott, NY. Joe and Vicky relocated to Westfield, IN in December 2003 to be near their daughter and her family. They immediately became involved in the Polish Cultural Society and St. Maria Goretti Church communities, which they cherished. Shortly before Vicky's death, Joe moved to Sunrise Living Center (now ClareBridge) where he was well cared for and loved by all of the staff members. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Clarebridge for the care provided to Joe over the past 3 1/2 years, as well as the staff at St. Vincent Hospital and Hospice during this past week. Service will be 1:00 Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Flanner and Buchanan-Hamilton Memorial Park with calling two hours prior. His bright smile and curiosity will be greatly missed but his contributions to society, science and his family will live on. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan