Joseph M. Oszakiewski

DULUTH, Minn. - Joseph M. Oszakiewski, 57, of Hurley, Wis., died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, with his loving wife by his side, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center Hospice in Duluth, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born Sept. 1, 1956, in Chicago, son of the late Joseph W. and Violet (Kubick) Oszakiewski, and graduated from Gordon Tech High School in Chicago in 1974. He was employed at Pauli's Foods in Chicago as grocery store manager for seven years and worked in various other grocery stores in the Chicago area. He then was employed as district manager for Holsum Bread in Chicago for six years and one year for Turano Bread. After his first wife died in 1989, Joe moved to Mercer, Wis., and purchased Beaver Lodge, operating it for eight years. He owned and operated the Bear Bar in Winchester, Wis., for a year and a half, then owned and operated Coyote Joe's Supper Club in St. Germain, Wis. Moving to Ironwood, Mich., in 2005, he cooked at the Breakwater Restaurant until 2010, when he became chef at the Cranberry Inn in Mercer.

Joe was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and was a Jack Daniels Tennessee Squire. An avid fisherman, he loved the outdoors and camping at Trout Lake. He also enjoyed woodworking and gardening, and was a jack-of-all-trades. Above all, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend to many, and will be deeply missed.

He was married to Kristina Novak on Sept. 22, 1979, at St. James Church in Chicago. She preceded him in death on June 2, 1989.

He then was married to Ruth "Rudie" Smith on Oct. 9, 2010, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, by the Rev. Darryl Pepin. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Michael Joseph, and daughter, Jessica (Doug) Mead, both of Ironwood; stepdaughter, Patricia Smith, Hurley; two grandchildren, Devon and Julieann; sister, Theresa Wilson, Woodstock, Ill .; mother-in-law, Pat Smith, Hurley; numerous nieces and nephews; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Victor (Sue) Smith, Burbank, Ill., Patrick (Kathy) Dattulo, Chicago, Gloria (Robert) Hafer, Chicago, Sue Dattulo, Dyer, Ind., and Barbara Dattulo, Tullahoma, Tenn .; and best friends, Ed and Laura Berbeka, Arlington Heights, Ill.

Besides his parents and first wife, Joe was preceded in death by three brothers-in-law, David Wilson, and Daniel and Richard Dattulo.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Joe's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to his family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.