Joseph A. Kleczynski

On December 21, 2020, after a life well-lived, Joseph A. Kleczynski was welcomed into the Kingdom of Christ.

Born in the Bronx, NY to the late Joseph and Josephine Kleczynski, he lived in Bayonne, NJ since early childhood where he met his future wife Sandra at the age of 7.  In 1961, he married Sandra and their lifetime of love was an inspiration to all who knew them. 

He graduated from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School and St. John Kanty Prep in Erie, PA.  He also attended both St. John’s and Rutgers Universities. He served in the US Army from 1961-1963 where he was a Specialist 5th Class in charge of the data center at Camp Kilmer, NJ where he helped create some of the first databases: moving paper records into digital data. He was a lifetime member of the AT&T Telephone Pioneers, Mackenzie Post, and a past president of the Marist HS Men’s Club.  He was also a long-time member of the Holy Name Society of Mt. Carmel. He retired from AT&T in 1996 after a career of over 40 years, where he worked as the manager and technical supervisor of one of their data centers.

Joseph truly appreciated the world around him.  Whether it was exploring the intricacies of God’s creation in a flower, listening to a Bach fugue, reading all the greatest books or spending time getting lost in a Van Gogh painting, Joseph loved it all. An excellent cook, he often invented new dishes to serve his family.  A miraculous gardener, he could make anything grow and flourish.  His other hobbies included drawing, painting, and quilling.

Joseph loved to laugh and his endearing personality and clever wit never failed to create a smile.  His intelligence was exceptional; so much so that everyone who knew him encouraged him to be a contestant on Jeopardy, a show he watched with his family religiously.

He was also a wondrous storyteller, patient teacher, creative problem solver, and caring listener.  He changed the lives of all those around him for the better.  Without a doubt, Joseph’s greatest source of pride and joy was his family.  He often remarked how lucky and grateful he was for all of them.

Surviving are Sandra (née Goscinski), his wife of 59 years; his children: Joseph A. Kleczynski II and his wife Susan; Jeffrey J. Kleczynski and his wife Donna; Robert P. Kleczynski and his wife Stephanie; Mary Lou Kowalski and her husband Rob; his grandchildren: Jonathan Kleczynski, Joseph A. Kleczynski III, Andrew Kleczynski, Thomas Kleczynski, Matthew Kleczynski, Julia Kleczynski, and Alexandra Kowalski; his sister-in-law, brother-in-law and special niece, Bernadette, Richard and Amanda Kline; four sisters: Helen Gonsiewski, Margaret Mondonaro, Christine and Albert Ross and Joanne Houghtalin; nephews, Richard and John Gonsiewski, Daniel Ross, Michael Mondonaro and nieces Sharon-Anne Osenenko and Melissa Mondonaro as well as many other treasured relatives and friends.

A walk through visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 23 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at the Dworzanski & Son Funeral Home.  The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 26 at 10:15 AM at St. John Paul II RC Church. Entombment to follow at Madonna Mausoleum in Fort Lee, NJ.

The funeral home occupancy will be limited to 25 people at a time to adhere to safety protocols.  There will be a hands-free sanitizing station at the front door entrance.  Please be sure to arrive with a face covering.  

Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong,

so prompt before the Throne of God,

I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession

and obtain for me from your Divine Son

all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ,

Our Lord; so that, having engaged here below your Heavenly power,

I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating

you and Jesus asleep in your arms.

I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.

Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me,

and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.

Amen.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph A. Kleczynski, please visit our floral store.