Joseph F. Partyka, Jr.

Joseph F. Partyka, Jr., President and founder of Partyka Resource Management Companies, Inc. and a true entrepreneur that never let risk or fear of failure stop him, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at age 92 on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at home. Along with his wife Emily (Skaza) who predeceased him in 2010, he took a small company formed by his father Joseph F. Partyka and mother Frances (Pirog) over 90 years ago and made it into a large, successful enterprise through hard work and perseverance. His efforts created hundreds of jobs and made a significant impact on the Western Massachusetts economy. Born and raised in Chicopee, Joseph began working in the family wood business as soon as he was physically able. It was the time of the Great Depression and he spent his time after school working hard and learning how to run a family business. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1946 and not long after entered the U.S. Army. He served with a military police unit while stationed in Stuttgart, Germany which was still in shambles after the destruction of World War II. Decades later he returned to the area and marveled at how well the city had rebuilt. Joseph would often comment that his time in the service was like a vacation in comparison to his hard work in the family business. After his military discharge in 1952, the love of his life Emily and the family business were waiting for him. In 1953 he and Emily were married. They not only started a new life, but also started to expand the family business. Fueled by a desire to succeed, Joseph was motivated to pursue ideas that would improve things for his family and the business. He would say that he was always thinking “there has to be a better way.” With Emily manning the home office while taking care of their growing family, Joseph searched out new business opportunities. He also took over more responsibility from his father. The wood business soon became a stone supply business which led to the sand and gravel business. Many of the main roads and highways in the local area contain stone and soils mined and delivered by Partyka family vehicles. Fully in control of the business and quick to recognize the opportunity, Joseph started his waste management business and it grew exponentially. He developed the largest waste management company in Western Massachusetts, offering recycling, composting, transportation and final disposal. His company provided over 50 years of waste management service to local communities. At its peak, his company was operating in 3 states and had development partnerships in Puerto Rico and Ireland. Joseph also had interest in real estate development and added to properties the family business owned. He developed the Ames Privilege Apartments in Chicopee Center, the Torrington Mill Office Complex in Westfield, the former St. Hyacinth Seminary property in Granby, the Parwick Center in Chicopee, the current Partyka main office in Chicopee and numerous residential and commercial properties in the area. It was important to Joseph to share his success with his community. Among many acts of charity, he was the major contributor to the new City of Chicopee Public Library, named after his wife as the “Emily L. Partyka Central Branch,” donated the funds for the “Partyka Natatorium” at the Elms College Maguire Center, and funded numerous projects and improvements at his parish The Basilica of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr and the St. Stanislaus School. The hard work and lessons learned at his father’s wood sawmill served Joseph well. Joseph’s true genius was his ability to work with people. He formed friendships and professional collaborations that lasted a lifetime. He was loyal, honest and his handshake meant the world to him. He knew how to work with talented people and trusted them to carry out the details of the projects he pursued. He was “The Boss” but tempered his expectations with kindness. He expected his people to work hard and succeed and gave them the space they needed to do just that. To his dying day, former employees and associates professed their high esteem and joy at having been able to work with and learn from him. Joseph also loved to negotiate and make agreements that benefited both parties. He knew that his success had to be matched with the success of those he dealt with. Whether it was buying tchotchke at an antique store or closing a business deal, he loved the back and forth of negotiating. When the negotiations were over, he usually had also made a new friend. He also loved to close a deal by asking for a “little” more off because he had “to take his wife to dinner” followed by a smile and pause, then he would add “in Paris.” While he enjoyed business, Joseph’s family was the most important to him. The three daughters he leaves behind, Joan Partyka and her husband John Krzeminski, Jr. of Springfield, Francine Stenz and her husband Brian of Savannah, GA, and Melanie Cullinane and her husband Timothy of Boxford, MA, loved him dearly. He was a “Dad” they enjoyed being with and could always count on. He loved travelling with his family and loved nothing more than family meals, frequently at local restaurants. He always wanted his family with him. If he wasn’t working, he was with them. Grandchildren were the pride of Joseph’s life. He had a special relationship with each of them, Louis Krzeminski and his wife Astrid Villagran of Longmeadow, Martine Martell and her wife Katie of Newton, MA, Joseph Stenz and Philip Stenz of Savannah, GA, John Stenz and his wife Makana of Parker, CO, and Emily Cullinane of Boxford, MA. Joseph also had a special place in his heart for his great-grandson Avik Villagran Krzeminski of Longmeadow. He also leaves his sister-in-law Loretta Skaza and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Genevieve Wickles and her husband Edward, Helen Dzialo and her husband Frederick, his brother-in-law Stanley Skaza and his sister-in-law Natalie Rusiecki and her husband Ted. Funeral services are private and at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. All arrangement are being handled by Kozikowski Funeral Home, 565 Front St., Chicopee, www.kozikowskifuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made in Joseph’s name to The Friends of the Chicopee Public Library, Emily L. Partyka Central Branch, 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013, or St. Stanislaus School, 534 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Those who knew him will remember Joseph as larger than life and will miss him dearly. His words as he would leave a work site are just as applicable now: “Just keep on moving!”

Joseph F. Partyka, Jr.

July 24, 1928 - March 27, 2021

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Joseph F. Partyka, Jr.

July 24, 1928 - March 27, 2021

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