Joseph Tokarz

Calais - Joseph Tokarz, 95, passed away Friday, December 26, 2008. Joe was born in Fall River, MA, on March 21, 1913, 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 school system, graduating from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1931. Joe received his B.S. in Pre-Med from Providence College in 1935 and attended Thibodeau Commercial College from 1936 - 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, FL. He retired in 1976. Joe's main interests were his family, the outdoors, and athletics--especially golf. He joined the St. Croix Country Club in 1958 and remained an avid player for many years. After leaving the military service, Joe became a Legionnaire with the Sherman Bros. Post #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. Besides 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, ME; 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, FL; M. Julia Anzelmo-Coleman of Salt Lake City, UT; Sara Anzelmo of Shady Side, MD; and Timothy Anzelmo of Philadelphia, PA, and greatgrandchildren Rosie and Eddie Coleman of Salt Lake City, and Josie Anzelmo of St. Augustine. Joe is also survived by brothers Fred Tokarz of Fall River, MA, and Ted Tokarz and sister Stephanie Considine, both of Boynton Beach, FL, along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother Riley Tokarz of Albuquerque, NM, sister Stasia Fitton of Fall River, and grandson William Tokarz of Yorktown, VA. Visiting hours will be held 2 - 5 p.m. on Friday, January 2, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Hinton officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Calais Legion Hall following the service. A spring burial will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Eastport.


Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alexander Fire Department First Responders, 50 Cooper Rd., Alexander, ME 04694, or to a charity of choice.


Cemetery:
Hillside Cemetery
High Street
Eastport, ME 04631 (map/driving directions)



Visitations:
2:00PM to 5:00PM on Friday, January 2nd, 2009 at Mays Funeral Home (map/driving directions)



Services:
11:00AM at Mays Funeral Home on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 (map/driving directions)