Joseph Marek Rzonca

Joseph Marek Rzonca, age 106, a resident of Bensalem PA since 1946, peacefully passed away on October 7, 2024. He was born on April 16, 1918, in Adams MA to Marek and Helen (Dabrowska) Rzonca. Joseph was married to his beloved wife Julia for 63 years until her death in 2006. He was also predeceased by his sister Sylvia Driscoll and her husband Stanley of Wethersfield CT and by his brothers Walter of Utica NY and John of Wethersfield CT.
Joseph graduated from Adams high school in 1935, then earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) in Phila PA in 1941. In WWII he was a 1st Lieutenant in the Chemical Warfare Service at Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver CO and in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in Europe. He was counted among the oldest living
veterans of World War II.
Joseph worked as a chemical engineer at Rohm & Haas Co (manufacturer of specialty chemicals) in Bristol PA, retiring after 30 years. In retirement Joseph and Julia visited several sites in Europe as well as spending quality time with grandchildren.
Joseph was a parishioner at St Ephrem Church in Bensalem PA since it was established in 1966. He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Polish American Congress.
He was a bugle and trumpet player in his younger days, and during his long life he was an amateur photographer, voracious reader, green thumb gardener, and daily walker. Joseph will always be remembered as the quintessential family man: loving, caring, understanding, patient, quiet, gentle but strong.
Surviving are his 8 children: Lorraine Dikant (Richard) of Stroudsburg PA, Rev. Michael Rzonca of Media PA, Rev. Stephen Rzonca (Darlene) of Fayetteville NC, Christina Gerlach (George) of Phila PA, Mary Yeany (Bruce) of Palmyra PA, Rita Hollinger of Quakertown PA, Mark Rzonca of Gap PA, Andrew Rzonca of Bensalem PA, 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Susan Rzonca, nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 10 AM – 10:45 AM at
St. Ephrem Church, 5400 Hulmeville Rd., Bensalem, PA. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 AM. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ephrem Parish, Bensalem or to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) at nazarethcsfn.org.
Condolences and words or remembrance can be made on Joseph's tribute wall by going to www.HMGFH.com
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Hoffmann Meyers Givnish Funeral Home.