Joseph Kiwak

OXFORD - Joseph L. "Joe" Kiwak, 86, of Cypress Street, died Saturday, January 31, 2009, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his first wife, Constance (Bell) Kiwak of Oxford, who died in 1976. He is survived by his wife and soul mate of 30 years, Dorothy V. (Bukoski) Kiwak of Oxford; four children, David A. Kiwak and his wife Carol of Wells, ME, Cynthia L. Bathgate of North Oxford, Sharon J. Thyden and her husband Robert of Auburn, and Linda J. Tierney and her husband Douglas of Lockport, IL; seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was predeceased by several brothers and sisters. He was born in Webster, the son of the late Ludwig and Karolina (Chmielowiec) Kiwak, and lived most of his life in Oxford. He graduated from Bartlett High School in Webster and received an associate's degree from Fitchburg State College. Mr. Kiwak was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving as Master Sgt. with the 39th M.P. Americal Division, and serving in combat in Guadalcanal. After the war, he worked in home construction and later became an instructor at Worcester Vocational Technical High School, teaching cabinet-making until his retirement in 1988. Joseph and his wife enjoyed traveling in their R.V., particularly attending Guadalcanal reunions. In 1995 they took up part-time summer residence at Beach Acres in Wells, ME. Joseph and his first wife taught square dancing and round dancing. He worked part-time for the Oxford Highway Dept. and was a Civil Defense director. He retired from the Oxford Fire Dept. as Deputy Chief after 34 years. Joseph was a part-time environmental police officer and was a permanent part-time member of the Oxford Police Dept. He was a member of the American Legion Post 58 and a member and 2-time past commander of the V.F.W. Post 5663, both in Oxford. He was a member of the Oxford Police Association and the Southern Mass. Police Association. He spent many years as chairman of the Oxford Council on Aging, stepping down due to his illness. He served on the building committee for the present Senior Center in Oxford and was voted Oxford's Senior Citizen of the Year in 1991. Joseph was a member of the Greendale Retired Men's Club, the Auburn Elks, and most recently served as Service Office of the Disabled American Veterans #53 in Webster. He was a Guadalcanal campaign veteran, serving two terms as president and currently on the Board of Directors. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, at Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. Military graveside service will follow at North Cemetery, Oxford, with the Oxford Memorial Honor Guard participating. Calling hours are Tuesday, February 3, 2009, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oxford E.M.S., 181 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540, or to the Oxford Council on Aging, 325 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540, or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.