Joseph James Rzonca

Joseph James Rzonca

October 31, 1946 - March 8, 2026

Joseph James Rzonca, "Poppy," passed away on March 7, 2026, at age 79.

Joseph is survived and deeply loved and missed by his three daughters, Joeli (Secrest), Amy (Dan Mahoney) and Meagan (Higgins), his seven grandchildren, Micah, Mason, Macarthy, Owen, Blake, Erin and Corie. He is also survived by his brother Victor (Cindy) Rzonca. He was preceded in death by his parents (Mary Antoinette & James) and his wife of 57 years, Caryl Elizabeth Rzonca (Antosh), "Camie."

Poppy was born in Westfield, Massachusetts. He joined the Air force immediately after High School and was stationed in Arizona where he met Camie. He worked for the City of Tucson for most of his career, working his way up from selling tickets to being Assistant Director at the Tucson Convention Center, until he retired and he and Camie built their home, the "Treehouse," in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona.

Poppy was the family rock. He was smart, funny, and reliable. He was a shining example of dedication, commitment, and intense loyalty and sacrifices to his family. He accompanied and supported Camie in all of her motor-home travel dreams and crazy trips around Arizona to attend each and every sporting event, theatrical production, award ceremony, graduation, and anything else the grandchildren were involved in, which he enjoyed as well. He always famously said, "The road is our friend" when people commented on how often he and Camie were driving around the valley. He was the softball coach, the fund-raising parent, and the girl scout dad. He was the best Poppy a kid could ask for, rocking his grandchildren to sleep, keeping them safe, taking them on trips, and teaching them to play chess and trivia games. Poppy was insanely proud of all of his grandchildren. He has created a legacy of love that will never be forgotten and will carry on through generations.

Services are being arranged by the family.