Paxton- Joseph M. Kowaleski, 75, of 26 Walbridge Road, an entrepreneur, died Sunday, Jan. 5, in St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center, after a short illness.
He leaves his wife of 50 years, Irene T. (Ostaszewski) Kowaleski; three sons, Joseph M. Kowaleski Jr. of Worcester, James J. Kowaleski of Rutland, and John Kowaleski of Harwich; three daughters, Janet Carboni of Milford, Christine Comeau of Lake Luzerne, New York, and Jennifer Kowaleski of Worcester; a brother, Edwin Kowaleski of Worcester; a sister, Wanda O'Connor of Shrewsbury; 5 grandchildren; nephews and nieces. He was born in Worcester, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Broko) Kowaleski and lived here many years. He graduated from Commerce High School.
Mr. Kowaleski owned and operated Joe K's Liquors on Pleasant Street in Worcester for 26 years. He previously was a foreman at Worcester Pressed Steel Company and Parker Metal Company.
He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, serving on the U.S.S. St. Paul.
He attended Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Parish, Worcester, and a member of the Greendale Y.M.C.A.
He was an avid fisherman.
The funeral will be held Thursday, Jan. 9, from Henry-Dirsa Funeral Home, 33 Ward Street, Worcester, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward Street, Worcester. Burial will be in Mooreland Cemetery. Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Central Massachusetts, 35 Harvard Street, Worcester, MA 01609.