Jozef Zuscak

RUTLAND – Jozef Zuscak, 89, of 23 Blair Drive, formerly of Worcester, died Wednesday, July 2, 2014 after an illness. He was born in Snina, Slovakia, the son of Steven and Mary (Kislanova) Zuscak.



He is predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Helena M. (Sadowski) Zuscak who passed away on June 21, 2003. Jozef leaves a daughter, Alicia A. McKeon and her husband, John of Rutland; two sons, Stephen J. Zuscak and his wife, Sandra of Gardner and Richard J. Zuscak of Barre and his best friend, Susan Zuscak of Spencer; two grandchildren, Tyler McKeon of Rutland and Jason Waller and his wife, Jennifer of Marlborough; three great-grandchildren, James, Joselynn and Jorjia Waller; and nephews and nieces. He was also predeceased by his brother, John Zuscak and two sisters, Ann Peola and Kathy Sedladova.



Jozef worked for Coes Knife Company in Worcester for 30 years as well as the Y.M.C.A. in Worcester. Jozef was a former member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Worcester and currently a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Rutland. He was a lifelong member of the PNI Club of Worcester and was a member of the Silver Sneaker program at the Y.M.C.A. He volunteered at St. Mary’s Church, Jefferson and St. Vincent de Paul in Worcester.



Jozef came to this country in 1957 after serving as an underground partisan during WWII. He met the love of his life, Helena in Buffalo, NY and was married in Port Colburne, Canada. They moved back to Worcester after a year to take care of Helena’s mom, Teofilia Sadowski. They stayed in Worcester all their lives raising a beautiful family which was most important to them. We celebrate “Dad’s” life by remembering the very deep love Dad had for his wife, Helena. Together they enjoyed travelling, going for their daily walks and were best known for their love of Polka Dancing. Family meant everything to Dad. Together they passed on their Polish heritage to their children and grandchildren.



Jozef was an avid gardner and became quite an artist in his latter years when he suffered with Alzheimer’s. Through it all, he adored his children and worked hard all his life, sacrificing himself for them. Dad also enjoyed “Chip” who was always by his side. He enjoyed family vacations to Cape Cod where he loved to play miniature golf and bowling with Tyler. Dad was well known in Rutland and at St. John’s High School as Tyler’s grandfather who was his biggest baseball fan. To Tyler, Dad was known as “Dziadzi”.



Thank you to the staff at Christopher House and the Hospice Caregivers from Notre Dame Hospice who provided care and comfort for Jozef and his family during his journey of passing into Eternal Life.



Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 3 to 6 pm on Sunday, July 6, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Funeral services for Jozef will be held on Monday, July 7, with an 11 am Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick’s Church, 258 Main Street, Rutland. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Notre Dame Hospice, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, visit the "guest book" on our page.