Joseph A. Briski Sr.
July 23, 1923 — February 5, 2017
Joseph A. Briski Sr. age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice.
Joseph is survived by his loving and devoted children: Joseph Jr. (Lynn) Briski; the late Robert (Margaret) Briski; and Mary Lou (Richard) Stonitsch; his beloved grandchildren: Joseph III (Karen), Paul (Melissa), Robert (Lindsay), and Daniel Briski, Christine (Matthew) Brennan, Sheri (Duane) Boyett, William (Judy), Todd (Rebecca), Kurt (Kathleen), Mark, and Mariah Stonitsch; his cherished great-grandchildren: Ashley, Jeremy, Molly, Isabelle, Alyssa, Justin, Jocelyn, Ava, Brent, Audrey, Cecelia, Colton, David, Christy (Gabe), Steven (Nellie), Matthew, Laura, Evan, Alyssa, Leah, Allison, Brianna, and Nathan; his great-great-grandchildren: Payzlee, Gabriel, Logan, Brinson, and Jack; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
Joseph is preceded in death by his loving wife, Florence (nee Bostjancic) of 65 years; his parents, John and Mary (nee Pavlich); three brothers, John Jr., Thomas, and Edward; two sisters, Mary (nee Metesh), and Annie; and two grandchildren, Jennifer Briski-Hilgenberg, and Matthew Fracaro Jr.
Joseph was a lifelong parishioner of St. Anne Catholic Church in Crest Hill. He served the Parish family as an Usher for about 40 years. He was a member of the Moose, Elks, KSKJ Society, and the Croatian Cultural Club. Joseph retired from Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company with 42 years of service; Polk Brothers,17 years of service; and First Midwest Bank, 15 years of service.
Joseph and his wife were avid ballroom dancers, dancing every weekend especially to polkas. Joseph’s love of music particularly the Big Band Era encouraged his children to pursue their own musical endeavors of whom he was very proud.
Joseph loved talking to people and had a wonderful sense of humor making him an excellent salesman. Joseph also loved tending to his flower and vegetable gardens.
Joseph was a very hard-working and devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He was extremely proud of his whole family.
He will be truly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Anne Catholic Church would be greatly appreciated.
A celebration of Joseph’s life will begin on Friday, February 10, 2017 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 10:30 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Anne Catholic Church in Crest Hill for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery in Crest Hill. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.