JOANNE F. BOCZANOWSKI, age 58, died on October 30, 2020, at her residence in Medway MA. A life-long resident of Medway, Joanne was born on April 27, 1962 at Framingham Union Hospital, the fourth child of the late Francis V. Boczanowski who died in 1997 and Barbara E. (Chesmore) Boczanowski who died in 2009.
Joanne graduated from Medway High School with the Class 1980.
She was a member of St Joseph’s Parish, Medway, MA as a Eucharistic Minister, an active member of Catholic Daughters Court St Joseph #1475, and energetic in meeting the needs of the parish.
Joanne enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1985 and served for nearly 30 years on both active and reserve duty before retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. Her USAF active service included a four-year assignment in Hawaii as a security specialist and overseas tours in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. Her USAF Reserve assignments in the cargo management career field included tours with the 85th Aerial Port Squadron, Hanscom, MA and the 58th Aerial Port Squadron, Westover AFB, Chicopee, MA.
She was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations which included two Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, the AF Good Conduct Medal, six Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with the bronze 'M' Device recognizing the “special sacrifice in service to the Nation” of Reserve component members who volunteer for and serve on active duty in support of a contingency operation.
In civilian employment, Joanne was an Air Reserve Technician at Hanscom AFB, MA for over 13 years where she oversaw the daily air transportation activities of the 85th Aerial Port Squadron, USAF Reserve. She later became Chief of the Traffic Management Office at Hanscom AFB where for five years she managed the motor pool and oversaw all cargo shipments to and from the base as well as all air passenger movements.
Joanne had a generous heart. She was a volunteer at the Medway Food Pantry and at the St Joseph’s Parish Homeless Ministry where she gathered clothing, sorted items and traveled into Boston each Monday evening to provide food and clothing to the homeless. Each month she spent time with veterans for the Adopt-a-Ward program participating in Bingo or dance parties at the VA Hospital in Bedford, MA.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement from Western New England College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Framingham State College, and, two
Associates in Applied Science degrees (Transportation Management and Security Administration) from the Community College of the Air Force. She was a graduate of the USAF Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, the Air National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and numerous other professional military training courses. She was also a graduate of Massachusetts Police Academy earning a diploma in December 1998 where she was one of a handful of women in her class.
Joanne was a charter member of Women in Military Service for America and her name appears on the Woman’s Memorial located in Washington, DC which is the only major national memorial honoring all women who have defended America. Joanne’s name also appears on the War on Terrorism Monument located at Matondi Square, Medway, MA.
She loved to travel, and when presented she took the opportunity to see such places as London, France to visit Our Lady of Lourdes, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Germany, and Japan.
Surviving are her five siblings; Linda Lapham (Paul) of Chatham, Carol Fichera (Buddy) of Angel Fire, NM, Joseph Boczanowski (Carla) of Mendon, Deborah Boczanowski of Medway, and Barbara Tiernan (John) of Franklin, MA; and 12 nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Dana Farber Cancer Institute of Boston and Milford campus for their hard work, dedication and compassion as well as Old Colony Hospice over these past 14 months.
Funeral services will be held privately at the request of her family. In lieu of flowers, Joanne’s wish was for donations to be made to a food pantry of your choice or to Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Joseph #1475, P.O. Box 557, Medway, MA 02053.
Feel free to share your online remembrances and condolences at www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com.