Joseph F. Lonczak

December 26, 1925 - January 3, 2015

Joseph F. “Harry” Lonczak, 89, retired City of Chicopee Firefighter, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. Born on December 26, 1925, son of the late John and Katarzyna (Grygiel) Lonczak, he was a lifelong Chicopee resident and a communicant of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr. A US Navy veteran of World War II, he fought in both the European African Middle Eastern and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters of war. He received the Purple Heart when he was wounded in action on D-Day at Normandy. He also received a battle star for each theater of war along with the Philippine Liberation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Harry served his community for twenty-four years as a firefighter, and previously had worked at Savage Arms. He was a charter member of the American Legion Post 452 and a member of the Polish American Veterans Andrew Balut Post. He had been a member of the Local Firefighters 1710 and was a present member of the Massachusetts Retired Police and Firefighters Association. Harry is survived by his loving sister, Evelyn Saczawa, of Chicopee; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his twin brother, Frederick, along with brothers Frank and William Lonczak and sisters, Bertha Cotton, Jane Maciolek, Mary Mruk, Frances Michalski, Valerie Stec and Sophie Golba. Funeral services for Harry will be held Thursday at 9AM from the Kozikowski Funeral Home, 565 Front St., Chicopee, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in St. Stanislaus Basilica. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday from 4-7PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040.