Joseph S. Piela

December 28, 1927 - June 22, 2014

Joseph S. Piela, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June, 22, 2014 at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center. Born December 28, 1927, son of the late Walenty and Agnes (Cierpisz) Piela, he was a lifelong Chicopee resident. Joseph was a graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind and a member of its Alumni Association. He served as President of the Commission for the Blind in Springfield for many years and was a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Greater Springfield. He was a communicant of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr. Joseph was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Tarka, Stella Nowak and Alice F. Kulig and by his brothers, Chester V. Piela, Edward P. Piela, Ignace Piela and Edward Olko. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Stephania M. Piela and several loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Joseph will be held Wednesday morning from the Kozikowski Funeral Home, 565 Front St., Chicopee, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Stanislaus Basilica. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday morning from 8:30-10:30AM. Memorial contributions may be made to Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon St., St., Watertown, MA 02472 or Mount Saint Vincent Care Center, 35 Holy Family Road, Holyoke, MA 01040.