Joe Nowicki

Joe Nowicki was a man who knew how to get the most out of life. He excelled in his chosen profession, and in his free time pursued a number of rewarding hobbies, including golf, fishing, and travel. Most importantly, he had a warm and loving family to come home to every night. Joe dedicated his life to providing for his family, and he was never happier than when surrounded by his loved ones.

On December 21, 1935, proud parents Chester and Anna (Prusivicz) Nowicki welcomed their first child into the world. The newest member of the Nowicki family was a boy, whom they christened Joseph. It wasn’t long before Joseph, or Joe as he came to be called, had a little brother to play with: David. Joe and David grew up in a home on California St. NW, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Chester supported his family by working in the composing room of the Grand Rapids Herald. Loving and close, the Nowickis did many activities as a family, including golf, bowling, and fishing. Joe had fond memories of summer trips to Northern Michigan, where they usually rented a cottage on Big Star Lake or Lake Mitchell.

When the time came for Joe to go to school, he was enrolled at Sacred Heart Elementary School. Joe was a good student, hard-working and quick to learn. In addition to his classes, by the time he was a teenager Joe was also working part-time at Redimachers’ Grocery Store on Bridge Street. While he was in high school, Joe began dating a young lady named Joan DeYoung.

After graduating from Catholic Central High School in the class of 1953, Joe took a job at Diesel Equipment. At the same time, he continued his education at Grand Rapids Junior College, taking pre-engineering tool and die classes. Joe later moved on to Jervis Corporation and Lear Siegler, where he worked as an engineer.

In 1957, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Joan. The happy couple settled into married life on VanEss NW, where they were members of St. Mary’s Church. Over the years, they were blessed with three children: Jeff, Janine, and Jodi Lynn. Joe was a proud father, and loved spending time with his children. Joe and Joan enjoyed a wonderful life together. They shared many hobbies, often hunting, fishing, bowling and golfing together. Community-minded, they were also active in the St. Mary’s Home and School Association. On the weekends, the family loved traveling up north to Petty’s Bayou, where they had a cottage on Spring Lake.

Professionally, Joe excelled in his field. After working for others for a number of years, he opened his own shop, “Rodaco Tool and Engineering.” He ran Rodaco for eight years, and then went on to managerial positions at Jaco Tool and Die, Grand Rapids Metalcraft, and Teledyne Continental Motors. He also served on the advisory board for Kent Skills Center for eight years. Other positions included engineering and sales jobs at Alloy Tech, Bourn & Koch, Excello Corporation (Detroit), Process Controll Automation (Montegue), and Dienetics (Jenison). His last position was at Laser Dynamics, where he worked until his retirement.

Sadly, Joe’s wife died suddenly in 1990. Although this was a very difficult time for Joe, he eventually found the strength to go on. His friendship with Diane Field, a co-worker from Lear Siegler, was a great comfort to him. Joe and Diane eventually started dating, and were married on December 30, 1995, at St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Joe and Diane lived in a series of condominiums, first at Falcon Pointe, later at Norton, and finally at Blueberry Valley in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joe was talented musically, and in his free time he enjoyed playing the accordion. He loved listening to old-time musicians like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and always tuned in to the Lawrence Welk Show.

In 2004, Joe was diagnosed with melanoma. He fought the disease bravely, and it seemed to clear up after treatment. In 2011, however, the cancer recurred, and a biopsy revealed that it had metastasized. After undergoing chemotherapy, there was little more that could be done. On June 27, Joe was placed under hospice care.

Intelligent, hard-working, and kind-hearted, Joe loved his family dearly and did his best to provide for them. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Joseph C. Nowicki died at his home, in the presence of his loving family, on the evening of August 9, 2012.after a hard fought battle with cancer. Joe was preceded in death by his father Chester J. Nowicki, his mother, Anna Prusevicz Nowicki, his brother, David M. Nowicki and Joe’s first wife Joan DeYoung Nowicki. Joe is survived by his wife of 17 years, Diane Field Nowicki. Survivors also include children and grandchildren; son Jeffery J, Kelly, Grandson Jeffery J.II, Granddaughter Sara, his daughter Janine (Robert) Schichtel, Granddaughter’s Jennifer Schichtel, Joann Schichtel, Julie and Eric Erdman, and daughter Jodi and Donald Domanski, Grandchildren Jackie, Jamie and Jeremy Domanski; Step-Son Glen Webb, Grandchildren, Travis Webb, and Tara Webb, Step-daughter Joann (Robert) De Glopper and grandchildren, Jennifer (Mark) Rubick , Nicole and Melissa De Glopper. Please visit Joe’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.