Joseph J Czachowski

Joseph J Czachowski died peacefully on May 17 at Overlook Hospital after suffering a stroke.  Raised in Newark’s Ironbound by his parents Helen (Selejko) and Sigmund Czachowski along with his brothers Frank and Ron, Joe attended St. Casmir’s Elementary School and Essex Catholic High School.  He worked at Wallace and Tiernan in Belleville as a quality control inspector for 22 years until the business relocated to Vineland NJ.  Faced with an unexpected career change, Joe went back to Kean University and graduated with a BA in History in 2000 and a Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies in 2005. He was offered an opportunity to teach at Kean University upon graduation, and the rest they say, ‘is history’.  He was an adjunct professor of history at Ocean County College and Kean University, and at Kean University/ Ocean at the time of his death. Proudly, he was inducted into the International History Honor Society, Omega-Alpha Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta in 1999, and made a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in 2003.  Joe especially enjoyed teaching and developing relationships with his students.

In 1978 Joe married Patricia Ann Cummings.  Together they raised their son, Kevin, having settled in Union, NJ.  Joe was active in coaching baseball, and further passed on his love of sports to his son.  The family became Baltimore Oriole fans, traveling to Baltimore for weekend games, and enjoying Camden Yards.  Joe and Kevin, devout NJ Devil’s fans, enjoyed games at the Meadowlands and the Prudential Center.   Along with being an avid sports enthusiast, Joe enjoyed live rock concerts.  His dear Patti died in 2000, leaving Joe to raise Kevin, now in his teens, alone.

 Joe married Mary (nee Cole) Walker in 2009, and with her daughter Katherine Walker they were a family of four.   Joe and Mary shared an interest in watching sports, exploring different cities and towns on the East Coast, and socializing with friends.  Good times included trips to the Outer Banks, family reunions where Joe was “King of Campfest”, New Year’s Eve gatherings with his childhood friends from St. Casmir’s, and trips to Lake Winnepesaukee in NH with Mary’s family.

Joe is predeceased by his parents, brother Frank, and nephew Sergeant James Harvey II.  Survivors include his wife Mary, son Kevin, step-daughter Katherine Walker,  god daughter Patricia Mikolajczyk, brother Ron Czachowski, sister -in-law Susan (James) Harvey, nieces Christine (Steve) Douglas,  Robin (David) Raffaele, Tracey (Joseph) Barnhart, brother-in-laws Jim (Jan) Cole, John (Leasy) Cole, Bill (girlfriend Jacqline) Cole, Tom (Jeanne) Cole, and many nieces and nephews, and their children.