Joseph Tokarczyk

All who knew Joseph Tokarczyk would agree that he was one of the most creative, entrepreneurial, and hardworking people around. His mind was always coming up with new ideas, and he wasn't afraid to try something unique. Behind his drive to succeed was Joes desire to provide a fun and comfortable lifestyle for the family he shared with the love of his life. He was a devoted husband and father who was thrilled to become a grandfather later in life. He also loved having fun with his numerous friends, and a friend of Joes was a friend for life. Generous, kindhearted, and genuine, he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know and love him. The 1930s were very much defined by the Great Depression that covered our nation throughout the entire decade. There was great hardship that was felt by countless American families as the unemployment rate soared, which left people to do whatever they could to weather the storm. Things only became more trying with a drought that hit our nations heartland for nearly two years adding strain to an already crippled agricultural industry. Despite the circumstances around them, a young couple from Grand Haven, Michigan, was able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their lives with the birth of a baby boy on December 1, 1934. Joseph was the seventh of eight children born to his parents, Thomas and Anna (Maskevich) Tokarczyk, and he was raised on the family farm alongside his sisters, Helen, Irene, and Mary, and his brothers, Ted, Ed, and Cashmere. In many ways Joe experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of his generation. From the time he was a young boy he grew up doing chores and helping out on the farm located just outside of Grand Haven. Joes outstanding work ethic would remain with him for the rest of his life. He attended local schools, but he left school after the eighth grade to find work instead. He learned skills as an auto mechanic and was able to fix a variety of machinery. New and exciting changes were in store for Joe when he met the young girl of his dreams. Her name was Adeline Welc, and they met through mutual friends. A dating relationship ensued, and the couple could often be found out dancing. Soon, the couple was deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Joe and Adeline became husband and wife on May 5, 1956. The newlyweds purchased property on Post Road in the Roosevelt Park area of Muskegon where they built a home. This was the place Joe called home for the rest of his life. Together he and Adeline welcomed six children including Joey, Vicki, Jim, Kathy, Michelle, and Frank into their hearts and home. To support his family, Joe was one to work hard. He spent more than 20 years making mufflers for cars at Obergs factory in Grand Haven. He also owned and operated his second hand store for a while during the early sixties to bring in some extra income. Later, Joe started his own successful excavation, snowplowing, and heavy equipment business, called Tokarczyk Services, which is where he worked for the remainder of his career. Joe loved to work and has been called the Energizer bunny. He kept all of his trucks and equipment in a big pole barn on Temple Street. Joe took great care in working on the engines and keeping everything running. He often had dogs as treasured companions who also helped him keep an eye on all the equipment. Joe provided exceptional service to his customers as he even built an electronic device that would sound an alarm whenever it snowed more than two inches so he could send his crews out right away. He kept in touch with all his drivers on the CB radio where his name was White Mountain Man after the huge snow piles he made in parking lots. Joe even put a snow plow on a limo once! In the late eighties, Joe had a worm business and would make the kids go out and collect the night crawlers from the compost bin in the yard to sell to the local sporting goods stores. Although he enjoyed his work and found it to be fulfilling, Joe loved being a father and spending time with his family, too. He made it so much fun to be at home, too, as he built a big treehouse in the willow for his kids as well as a big pool in the backyard with plenty of deck space around it. Through the years there were numerous fun-filled pool parties there. There were several trips to Cedar Point as well as trips across the country in the motorhome that he built out of an old school bus. In addition, they had memorable times spent fishing on Black Lake, and Joe built enormous snow piles on the lot space next door for the kids to slide down and build forts. As a family the Tokarczyks attended St. Michaels Catholic Church. For years Joe and Adeline had a fun group of friends, and they liked to go out polka dancing at Jennys Bar. Usually, they closed the bar down, and then they had everyone back to their house where Adeline made breakfast. Life was not without times of trial for Joe, but he faced everything that came his way with strength and courage. He was deeply saddened with the death of his beloved Adeline in 1986, but he was able to remain on his own. Joe enjoyed going to the singles dances at Whitlows and had a couple of serious relationships through the years, but he never married again. Joe also liked gambling and enjoyed going to the casinos from time to time. During his sunset years Joe dealt with various health issues that left him in and out of nursing homes as needed. With unending love for his family and friends, Joseph Tokarczyk was a blessing in the lives of all who knew him. He worked hard in everything he did, and there was nothing that he wouldnt do for his family and friends. Deeply loved, Joe will never be forgotten. Joseph Tokarczyk died Sunday, December 7, 2014. Joes family includes his son, Frank (Mirelda) Tokarczyk of N. Muskegon; daughters, Victoria (John) Belasco of Muskegon, Michelle (Juan Mendez) Tokarczyk of Muskegon; grandchildren, Jennifer, Amanda, Renee, Johnny, Jeremy, Jason, Justin, Adeline, Tommy, Reina brother, Cashmere Tokarczyk of Muskegon; sisters, Irene Brown of Grand Haven & Mary Vogler of Grand Haven; daughter-in-law, Jean Tokarczyk; nieces & nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Adeline; children, Kathy, James and Joseph; brothers, Ted, Ed, Chuck and sister, Helen. Services will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014, 1:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Fr. Phillip Salmonowicz officiating. Interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitioan will be held on Friday, 2:00 pm - 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:30 pm at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials can be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church.