Bom-Wrapper
In Memory of
Joseph G. "Joe"
Moraska
Moraska
1929 - 2015
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Jacobs Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Inc.
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>
Obituary for Joseph G. "Joe" Moraska
Joseph G. Moraska, 86, of Kingsford, Mich. passed away peacefully, Friday, April 17, 2015, at Freeman’s Nursing and Rehabilitation, Kingsford.
He was born April 3, 1929, in Norway, Mich. son of the late Walter and Sophie (Bolek) Moraska.
Joe grew up in Norway and graduated from Norway High School. He entered the United States Army and served in the Korean War; he was stationed in Japan serving our country as a Military Police. After being honorably discharged he returned home and married Annabelle “Ann” Dinnocenzo on January 24, 1953, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Iron Mountain. They resided in Norway all of their 54 years of married life; she preceded him in death on December 28, 2008. Joe was employed at Kimberly Clark, later Pentair, Consolidated Paper and New Page for over 42 years as an electrician. He enjoyed all kinds of sports, played slow pitch softball and bowled for many years. Joe was an avid golfer and in his career made 2 holes in one.
He was an accomplished accordion player; music took up a great part of his life. Joe would play for anyone who wanted to listen; he was known to play on fan busses for basketball games, in bars, at parties and weddings as the Polka Cats with Henry Opolka on the drums and Ed Bolek on the Concertina and the DJ’s with Louis Dallapiazza on the trumpet. Two of Joe’s greatest musical experiences were when he was asked to play alongside the famous Art VanDamme, and Lawrence Welk, the conductor, offered him a position in the band. He became a self-taught master carver, his favorite being ducks. An avid hunter and fisherman, he always had a story to tell.
Over the years Joe served as president of Oak Crest Golf Course and held the office of Governor at the Norway Moose Lodge. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Norway. Joe kept very busy umpiring Little League games while he enjoyed watching his boys participate in sports.
In Joe and Ann’s retirement years they spent most winters in Mesa, Arizona where they met and made many great friendships.
He is survived by one son, Michael (Ann) Moraska, Kingsford; one daughter, Mary (Michael) Pontbriand, Norway; five grandchildren, Tony (Megan) Moraska, Okla., Michelle (Jake) Carpenter, Stevens Point, Wis., Missy (Josh Mach) Pontbriand, Dan Pontbriand, Joey (Kelsey) Pontbriand, all of Norway; five great-grandchildren, Clayton, Lauren and Clara Rose Moraska, Max Carpenter and Weslea Mach and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Ann, he was preceded in death by one son, Joey; one brother, Walter Moraska, Jr.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Norway. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Timothy Ekaitis will officiate. Burial will be in Norway Township Cemetery, Norway.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain to honor Joe’s Legacy of Life.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Joe or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com
He was born April 3, 1929, in Norway, Mich. son of the late Walter and Sophie (Bolek) Moraska.
Joe grew up in Norway and graduated from Norway High School. He entered the United States Army and served in the Korean War; he was stationed in Japan serving our country as a Military Police. After being honorably discharged he returned home and married Annabelle “Ann” Dinnocenzo on January 24, 1953, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Iron Mountain. They resided in Norway all of their 54 years of married life; she preceded him in death on December 28, 2008. Joe was employed at Kimberly Clark, later Pentair, Consolidated Paper and New Page for over 42 years as an electrician. He enjoyed all kinds of sports, played slow pitch softball and bowled for many years. Joe was an avid golfer and in his career made 2 holes in one.
He was an accomplished accordion player; music took up a great part of his life. Joe would play for anyone who wanted to listen; he was known to play on fan busses for basketball games, in bars, at parties and weddings as the Polka Cats with Henry Opolka on the drums and Ed Bolek on the Concertina and the DJ’s with Louis Dallapiazza on the trumpet. Two of Joe’s greatest musical experiences were when he was asked to play alongside the famous Art VanDamme, and Lawrence Welk, the conductor, offered him a position in the band. He became a self-taught master carver, his favorite being ducks. An avid hunter and fisherman, he always had a story to tell.
Over the years Joe served as president of Oak Crest Golf Course and held the office of Governor at the Norway Moose Lodge. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Norway. Joe kept very busy umpiring Little League games while he enjoyed watching his boys participate in sports.
In Joe and Ann’s retirement years they spent most winters in Mesa, Arizona where they met and made many great friendships.
He is survived by one son, Michael (Ann) Moraska, Kingsford; one daughter, Mary (Michael) Pontbriand, Norway; five grandchildren, Tony (Megan) Moraska, Okla., Michelle (Jake) Carpenter, Stevens Point, Wis., Missy (Josh Mach) Pontbriand, Dan Pontbriand, Joey (Kelsey) Pontbriand, all of Norway; five great-grandchildren, Clayton, Lauren and Clara Rose Moraska, Max Carpenter and Weslea Mach and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Ann, he was preceded in death by one son, Joey; one brother, Walter Moraska, Jr.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Norway. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Timothy Ekaitis will officiate. Burial will be in Norway Township Cemetery, Norway.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain to honor Joe’s Legacy of Life.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Joe or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com
Order Flowers