Joseph Robert Wozniak

Joseph Robert "Joe" Wozniak, age 76, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on October 4, 1949, he was the son of the late Joseph and Wanda (Unda) Wozniak.

When Joe was a “YOUT”, he lived in Norwood. Part of a proudly Polish family, potato pancakes and kielbasa were a way of life. He and his sister Cathy alternated making their favorite one pan chocolate cake. He loved riding his bike, roaming the streets with his buddies and getting into trouble. We can neither confirm nor deny that he single-handedly caused the Great Blackout of ’65 when he shot a streetlight with his BB gun seconds before the entire eastern seaboard went dark.

Joe graduated from Norwood High School and continued to Blue Hills Regional, where he earned his certification to be a machinist. Joe ran with it, becoming the most reliable, knowledgeable, and precise machinist the world has ever known… probably. Joe had two whole jobs over a 50+ year career. We’re convinced he’d still be at Franklin Manufacturing if they hadn’t closed their doors. He spent the latter half of his career with Payne Engineering. He absolutely loved working there and couldn’t wait to tell his family about all of his projects. He made MANY a titanium trinket and butcher block cutting board, which were highly coveted and the envy of all. Joe was still working three days a week until he passed. We can finally say that he is *officially* retired.

When Joe’s father passed away, his big cousin and personal hero, Wally, swooped in and took Joe under his wing. From the age of sixteen on, every weekend was spent fishing on Wally’s boat, the Kembe, blasting the Hair soundtrack, entering bluefin tuna tournaments, and having the absolute time of his life. It is also on the Kembe where Joe found the catch of his life, Cathy. (Though Tracy will take full credit for getting them together, being their mutual godchild, it was actually Mary who nudged Joe in the right direction). Cathy would become his best friend and wife of 46 years, but LET IT BE KNOWN- she will always hold the marriage record for largest tuna, 888 lbs to Joe’s measly 650.

Joe was a man of simple tastes. He loved nothing more than being home, mowing his lawn, cooking for his family, cracking “a brewski or twoski” and watching the world go by. If your knives were dull, he was going to sharpen them for you. He was absolutely going to give your bike a once-over and pump up the tires. We’re amazed his arm still functioned after all the hours of catch he played with Adam. He loved to measure time in how many beers it took to complete a task. He had to make sure there was a “back to the back up” of everything in the house. He will live eternally through his many “Joe-isms” which we all repeat daily. We will spend many hours trying to figure out the famous potato pancake recipe, which Joe took to his grave. He loved going for drives and dropping in on his life-long friends (you know who you are). Joe was a ‘bonus dad’ to many, in particular Michael, Richard, Rovich and JP. There is NOTHING he wouldn’t do for his friends and family- just ask them.

He would want you to remember- “It takes ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE to make up this world”, so go about your day, be kind, and help people out. We hope wherever you are Joe, that the water is flat-ass calm, the Miller Lites are ice cold, and that it’s forever a fine day at sea.

Joe is survived by his better half Catherine C. (Burton) Wozniak, and his two children: son and constant catch partner Adam B. Wozniak and his wife, Joe’s favorite daughter in law, Jeannie, of Walpole, and daughter and fishing buddy Jaclynn C. Long and her husband, Joe’s bestie, Benjamin, of The Bronx, New York. He is adored by his grandkids, Addison Wozniak, Joseph Wozniak, and Henry Long. He was also the loving brother of Catherine Henry and her partner, John Sutton, of Coral Gables, Florida. He leaves behind many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews… too many to list.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Joe's visitation on Monday, May 18th, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Funeral Home Service will be held on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, at 11:00 am. Interment will take place privately at the request of Joe's family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe's name may be made to: Walpole Little League, C/O Joe Wozniak Memorial, PO Box 551, Walpole, MA, 02081