Obituary of Joseph Giercyk

Joseph Giercyk 88 of Milmay passed away suddenly on Thursday July 12, 2012 in the Atlantic Care Hospital in Pomona. Born in Dorothy to the late Michael and Kathern (Stachow) Giercyk and was a life long Milmay resident. He attended the Risley Grammer School in Estell Manor. At the age of 17 he was a certified sharp shooter. Joseph was enlisted into the US Army on April 9, 1943 serving on the front lines durnig WW II where he held the rank of Army-T-5 Sergeant, in the 872nd Field Artillery Batt. serving in England, France, and Austria during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in Third Wave, pushed Rhine River in Austria, total of 18 months, overseas. Joseph received the Sharpshooter Expert Medal, Good Conduct, Victory Medal, Harry S. Truman Medal, European Theater of Operations Battle Stars. After an honorable discharge in 1946 he returned home and met and married his late wife Florence Eva (Kupetz) who was a life long Milmay resident, best friends and the love of his life, and married for 58 years until her passing in 2007. Mr. Giercyk was a heavy equipment operator in Vineland for the Vineland Transit Mix Company for many years before his retirement. Joseph was a member of the Milmay Gunning Club for 62 years where every year for 50 years succesfully "got a buck". He was a member of the Milmay Volenteer Fire Company for over 50 years of service where he held the position of Fire Chief for several terms. A member of the VFW post 158 in Buena Vista Twp, Joseph will always be remembered for driving his 1963 green Ford pick up truck. He and his late wife enjoyed Square Dancing. Joseph was awarded for the year 2012, the citizen of the year award for Buena Vista Twp. Joseph is survived by a daughter, JoAnn Jaffe of Bloomington, Indiana, a son Joseph Jr. of Milmay, grandchildred: Misty Jaffe of Lakewood CA. Christopher Jaffe of Bloomington Indiana, great-grandchildren Celina Jaffe, Jurion Jaffe, Julia Reardin, Chip Reardin, Olivia Jaffe-Pachuilo, Benjamin Jaffe and Lorelei Jaffe. Also surviving are John and Helen and his extended family in Mayslanding.