Joseph J. Gwiazdowski

A final Navy salute to WWII veteran Joseph J. Gwiazdowski, age 92, of Newark, DE, as his ship sailed for the final time to his eternal resting place on Sunday, October 2, 2016.

Born in Norwich, CT on April 4, 1924, Joe was the son of the late Peter Paul and Josephine (Jutkuwicz) Gwiazdowski. He was so proud to have served in the Navy. When his country needed him most, Joe dropped everything and became a part of the war effort by serving as a radar specialist aboard the USS Shangri-La. He was a mechanical engineering graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and held an MBA from George Washington University. While working for Martin-Marietta, Joe was part of the design team that put the Gemini capsule into outer space. He spent most of his career with the Department of Transportation and the FAA, dedicating his heart to the Supersonic Transport and the Climatic Impact Assessment Program.

Joe loved God and his church, was an avid reader, adored crabbing and fishing, and was in awe of the many creatures of nature. He loved his family and made sure they knew the depths of that love.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Ruth Palubin Gwiazdowski; his 3 children and their spouses, Joseph Gwiazdowski (Elaine), Mary Ann Gladnick (Mark), and Steve Gwiazdowski (Lynne); his grandchildren and their spouses, Eric Gwiazdowski, Kapil Patnaik, Jeff and Julie Gladnick, Brian and Lisa Gladnick, Tommy and Elizabeth Gladnick, Julie Gladnick, Anna Gwiazdowski and Austin Gwiazdowski; and his two great grandchildren, Claire and Owen Gladnick. He will join his first grandchild, Gina Gwiazdowski Patnaik and former daughter-in-law, Gail Gwiazdowski, in Heaven.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Saturday morning, October 15, 2016, at Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, 454 Bow Street, Elkton, MD, where a visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am. Interment will be held privately.