Joseph "Joe" Piotrowski

Joseph "Joe" Piotrowski, a man whose laughter could light up a room and whose hands could build a fortress, has played his final round of golf, shuffled his last hand of cards, and cast his last line into the waters of life. Born in Chicago on January 18, 1932, Joe's warmth and humor defied the cold of his birthplace. He passed away peacefully at Belmont Village, Carol Stream, having lived a full and vibrant life.
Joe served as a radio technician in the Korean War, a testament to his bravery and service. After his military days, he became the proud owner of a gas station, where his jokes were as free-flowing as the petrol. He then shifted gears to manage a trucking division, a job that whisked him away to lands as distant as Iran, Iraq, and Turkey, though he never lost his Midwestern charm or his taste for a good Chicago-style hot dog. Retirement couldn't keep Joe idle; he continued to work miscellaneous jobs, each of which benefited from his boundless energy and creativity.
A family man at heart, Joe was preceded in passing by: his beloved wife, Rita Piotrowski (Kamka); mother Frances (Soski) and father Joseph K. Piotrowski; his sisters Irene Starzak (Walter), Alice Klinger (Henry) and Elizabeth; and his brother Ed Huspen (Leona). His legacy lives on through his daughter, Cheryll Ernst (Allen), and his son, Joseph L Piotrowski (Suzanne). His grandchildren-Bryan, Christina, Nicholas, Jason, Joseph, and Mathew-and great-grandchildren-Jacob, Kaeson, Emery, Aaliyah, Joselyn, Cassandra, Skylee, Justin, Amelia, and Jesse-will carry forward his love, his jokes, and maybe even his knack for building things from scratch.
Joe's interests were as varied as the cards in a deck. He loved golf, pickleball, poker, pinochle, euchre, and fishing. A handyman, Joe could build large decks and fences with the skill of a master craftsman and the enthusiasm of a child in a sandbox. His creations stand as monuments to his talent and his joy in making things-though he'd be the first to joke that his real talent was in avoiding splinters.
Describing Joe, words such as funny, creative, and loving come to mind. He was the type of guy who could find humor in the everyday, a trait that endeared him to all who knew him. Joe's favorite saying recently has been 'I'll go with the flow'. He repeated that often while he was under the wonderful care of Belmont Village. Everyone there loved him too.
Joe Piotrowski's departure from this world is not a cause for sorrow but a celebration of a life well-lived, a life filled with laughter, love, and a touch of madness. He was a man who built more than decks and fences-he built a legacy of joy that will endure in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him. So, here's to Joe-a life beautifully played, a game well won.
Please no flowers but please share a memory if you'd like.