Joseph S. Tokarczyk III's Obituary
Joseph S. Tokarczyk III, age 82, of Lorain, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Avon Oaks Nursing Home, Avon.
He was born on December 24, 1936 in Lorain, to Joseph S., II and Veronica (nee Sogan) Tokarczyk. He is a 1954 graduate of Clearview High School. After high school, he attended the Cleveland Molar Barber College, which prepared him for his career as a barber for about 15 years. At one time, he was the Vice President of the Barber’s Union. After being a self-employed barber, he went to work at B.F. Goodrich/PolyOne for over 20 years, where he retired from. Joe was a member of the former St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, and upon their closing, he then became a member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lorain, where he was also a Eucharistic Minister.
Joseph and his beloved wife of 62 years, Beverly (nee Wojtko) Tokarczyk, got married on September 29, 1956. He enjoyed and was quite talented at impersonating Elvis. He was so good at it that when Joe and Bev were on their honeymoon, he was mistaken for Elvis and they were given the royal treatment. Joe’s biggest love in his life was anything that had to do with his wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He was a great swimmer and was even the President of the Riviera Swim Club Boosters and was the assistant coach for Swimming at the YMCA. When he wasn’t coaching swimming, he volunteered his time working at the front desk at the YMCA as well. Joe also enjoyed golfing. One of his proud accomplishments was when he made a hole-in-one while being on the B.F Goodrich Golf League. When he found free time in between all of his hobbies, he would love feeding the birds and squirrels, going fishing, and taking bus trips to the casinos. Joe was proud of his Polish heritage, but was also proud of his wife’s Hungarian heritage as well and would serve his time as the Treasurer for the American Hungarian Council.
Joseph is going to be dearly missed by the love of his life and beloved wife of 62 years, Beverly (nee Wojtko) Tokarczyk, his children; Theresa (Michael) Empey, Allen, TX, Joseph IV (Brenda) Tokarczyk, of Lorain, Frank (Susan) Tokarczyk, of Amherst, Jayne (Richard) Morales, of Lorain, and Johnny Tokarczyk, of Lorain, his grandchildren; Michael B., Elena, Stacey, Corey, Rachel, Michael, Daniel, Meagan, Marcus, and Matthew, his great grandchildren; Mark Jr., Julianna, Allison, and Adelynn, and his siblings; Kathy Burrows and Jim Tokarczyk, both of Goodyear, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph S., II and Veronica (nee Sogan) Tokarczyk, and a sister, Judith Balzer.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 25, from 4 to 8 pm, in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, where closing prayers will be held on Saturday, at 10:15 am. His Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am, at Nativity of the BVM Catholic Church, 418 West 15th Street, Lorain. The Rev. Fr. Gerald Keller, will officiate and the Rev. Fr. Robert Glepko, Pastor, will concelebrate. To send an online condolence, go to www.dovinreberjones.com.
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