Joseph Kochanski

Mr. Joseph Kochanski, 91, of 26 Richmond Lane, Adams, died on his birthday, Friday afternoon, May 23, 2008, at Penacook Place in Haverhill, MA. He was born in Yonkers, New York on May 23, 1917, a son of the late Stanislaw and Anna (Chudas) Kochanski. He moved to Poland as a child with his family, and attended schools there. He returned to the United States as a young man, and entered the US Army, serving with the 316th Medical Battalion in Africa and Italy from 1942 until 1945. Following his Honorable Discharge, he attended Charles H. McCann Technical School, North Adams, graduating with a diploma from the Toolmaker's program. He first worked at the former Sprague Electric Co. in North Adams, and later worked for many years as a toolmaker at General Electric Co. in Pittsfield until retiring in 1980. He was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, and a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Society, Adams Post 160 American Legion, and the General Electric Quarter Century and Pensioner's Clubs. Mr. Kochanski was well-known for building mandolins in his spare time, and had several newspaper articles written about his craftsmanship and attention to detail in creating the instruments. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, the former Blanche C. Gliwski, whom he married on July 11, 1942; 3 sons - Joseph J. Kochanski of Norwich, CT; Paul F. Kochanski of North Andover, MA and Thomas M. Kochanski of Dolores, Colorado; 5 Grandchildren - Kursten Matson Butler of Georgia; Kara and Joey-Marie Kochanski of Norwich, CT and Brett Paul and Joel Kochanski of North Andover, MA ; 1 Great granddaughter - Kelsey Ann Butler of Georgia 1 Brother - John Kochanski , and 4 Sisters - Helen Sokolowski, Henrietta Chudas, Wanda Ciesielski and Barbara Piekarski, all of Poland; and several nieces & nephews. His daughter, Ann Kochanski Matson, died in 1973. He was predeceased by a brother, Walter Kochanski. The funeral will be held on Thursday, May 29th, at 10:30 AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, Pastor of the Catholic Parishes of Adams. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Thursday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire through the funeral home.

Joseph Kochanski

May 23, 1917 - May 23, 2008