CALAIS – Joseph Tokarz, 95, passed away Friday, Dec. 26, 2008. Joe was born March 21, 1913, in Fall River, Mass., son of the late Ignace and Mary (Kapala) Tokarz, who both immigrated to the United States from Zakopane, Poland. He was educated in the Fall River (Mass.) school system, graduating from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1931. Joe received his Bachelor of Science in pre-med from Providence College in 1935 and attended Thibodeau Commercial College from 1936 to 1937. He came to Maine, where he started a long government career, first in 1937 as an employee of the National Youth Administration at Quoddy Village and in 1942 as an inspector with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. His career was interrupted by World War II, when he served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943 until 1946. After returning to the Immigration Service, Joe worked as an inspector at Eastport, Vanceboro, Lubec and Miami. He retired in 1976. Joe’s main interests were his family, the outdoors and athletics, especially golf. He joined St. Croix Country Club in 1958 and remained an avid player for many years. After leaving the military service, Joe became a Legionnaire with Sherman Bros. Post No. 3 American Legion in Calais and has been a member since. In 1985 he received a “paid up for life” membership for his activity in the post. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his wife, Ruth (Rolfe) Tokarz. Surviving are his son, Richard Tokarz and wife, Joan (Sammons), of Newport News, Va., and Lincoln; his daughter, Linda Tokarz of Greenbelt, Md.; his friend and companion, Mildred Burgess; seven grandchildren, Thomas and James Tokarz of Yorktown, Va., Christina Anzelmo of University Park, Md., Joseph Anzelmo of St. Augustine, Fla., M. Julia Anzelmo-Coleman of Salt Lake City, Sara Anzelmo of Shady Side, Md., and Timothy Anzelmo of Philadelphia; and great-grandchildren, Rosie and Eddie Coleman of Salt Lake City and Josie Anzelmo of St. Augustine, Fla. Joe is also survived by brothers, Fred Tokarz of Fall River, Mass., and Ted Tokarz; and sister, Stephanie Considine, both of Boynton Beach, Fla.; along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother, Riley Tokarz of Albuquerque, N.M.; sister, Stasia Fitton of Fall River, Mass.; and grandson, William Tokarz of Yorktown, Va. Visiting hours will be held 2-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday with Pastor Bob Hinton officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends after the service at Calais Legion Hall. A spring burial will be held at Hillside Cemetery, Eastport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alexander Fire Department First Responders, 50 Cooper Road, Alexander, ME 04694 or a charity of choice. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
JOSEPH TOKARZ
