Joseph Wojciechowski passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at the Oliver Road home he built for his family sixty years ago. Born on March 16, 1938 to Mary and Peter Wojciechowski, and grew up on First Avenue with his brother, Peter, and his sister, Janet. Stories he shared of his childhood included wooden sidewalks that floated away during storms, honey pots, shovelling coal and chopping wood for heat, and skating on the ditches during the winter. Joe was a gifted athlete, with successful careers in junior hockey and baseball in Thunder Bay, and was offered athletic scholarships which went unpursued because of his dedication to family. He attended Queen Elizabeth Public School, Hillcrest High School and Lakehead Technical Institute where he obtained his Engineering Technologist degree. With that education, he first partnered up for a decade and a half with his brother-in-law to run a contracting company, Wochy & Stroud Ltd., and afterwards worked for local businesses such as BISCO and Northland Machinery.
While in high school, he met the love of his life, Wanda Lewandowski, and she was the main reason he settled down in Thunder Bay, marrying her in 1962 and raising three children, Stephen, Cathy and Gary. Joe was a hard-working individual, both during his career and also around the home he built, renovated and maintained for the benefit of his family, including digging by hand the outdoor swimming pool he installed. He coached hockey for a number of years during his winters, and in the summer months could be seen cutting grass several times a week on his Massey Ferguson red tractor, puffing on a cigar with a huge smile on his face. He was completely devastated when Wanda left his side almost 20 years ago following a cancer diagnosis and was never the same but carried on as best he could to honour what they had accomplished together.
Joseph is survived by his children, Stephen (Lisa) Wojciechowski, Cathy (David) Cho-Chu, and Gary (Michelle) Wojciechowski, along with his grandchildren, Madison (James), Meaghan (Kai) and Miranda (Branden) Wojciechowski, Brennan and Matthew Cho-Chu, and Jayden (Allana) Wojciechowski and Jocelyn (Lucas) Wojciechowski. He is also survived by his brother, Peter (Susan) Wojciechowski, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, his brother-in-law, Roger (Judy) Lewandowski from St. Catharines, Ontario, as well as his uncle, Steve Wojciechowski of Sault St. Marie, Ontario.
Joseph is predeceased by his parents, Mary and Peter Wojciechowski, his sister, Janet (Larry) Stroud, his in-laws, Amelia and Walter Lewandowski, and the love of his life, Wanda Wojciechowski. While it is hard to let go and say good-bye, he has been waiting for a long time to join Wanda once again, and we all know that smile is back and will now never disappear.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has already taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 21 Court Street North, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. to be celebrated by Father Ciaran Donnelly. Interment will be at a later date. If friends or family desire, donations to the St. Joseph’s Foundation would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
