Joseph W. Hojnicki, Sr. - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Joseph W. Hojnicki, Sr.

Born March 19, 1926

Joseph W. Hojnicki, Sr., age 88, of New Castle, DE, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, March 14, 2015, surrounded by his family.

A native Delawarean, Mr. Hojnicki was born in Wilmington on March 19, 1926, and was a son of the late William Hojnicki and Mary (Majewski) Skibicki. After graduating from Wilmington High School, he bravely served his county from 1944 until 1946 as a member of the U.S. Navy during WWII. Mr. Hojnicki made his career as a director of operations for Spitz Space Systems located in Chadds Ford, PA from 1956 until his retirement in 1995.

A member of the Minquadale Volunteer Fire Company since March, 1947, he served as President, Chief and as a member of the executive board with the organization and was also awarded the title of both President and Chief Emeritus. Mr. Hojnicki was an officer of the fire company for a total of 56 years and was awarded life member in 1956. He received numerous awards for his ongoing service including becoming the first recipient of the New Castle County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Sonny Wilkins Longevity Award in 1990, New Castle County Volunteer Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year in 1980, Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year in 1994, was appointed to the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame in 1985 and was a part of the committee that established the Delaware State Fire School. Committed to the education and continued training of volunteer firefighters, Mr. Hojnicki served as an instructor with the fire school for many years. He attended countless conferences and conventions during his tenure. He was an honorary member of both the Holloway Terrace and Wilmington Manor Volunteer Fire Companies. A devout Catholic, Mr. Hojnicki was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church in New Castle, where he served on the parish council and was an usher. Above all else, he loved and adored his family and was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many and will be dearly missed by all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step father, William Skibicki, brother, Edward Hojnicki, Sr. and sister, Victoria Skibicki. Mr. Hojnicki is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Irene S. (Maciejewski) Hojnicki; children, Joseph Hojnicki, Jr. (Lisa) of West Allis, WI, Patricia Addison (Carl) of Wilmington, Diane Thompson (Chris) of New Castle and Michael Hojnicki (Barbi) of Bear; brother, William Skibicki, Jr. of Dover; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of the Heartland Hospice House for the compassionate care that was provided to Mr. Hojnicki during his time there.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday evening, March 18, 2015 at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 am on Thursday morning, March 19, 2015. Interment with military and fire service honors will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Minquadale Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 647, Manor Branch, New Castle, DE 19720.

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21 Condolences for Joseph W. Hojnicki, Sr.

  • We would like to express our deepest condolences to the entire Hojnicki family. Mr. Hojnicki was a kind man and he would always put a smile on my face every time I saw him. May God bless and comfort you at this difficult time!

    Love,

    The May Family
    Demond, Melodye and Lauryn

  • We have all lost a great leader.
    Rest in Peace Joe.

  • Mom H., Patti and family,
    My sympathy in the passing of Daddy H. A wonderful man who touched many and will be sorely missed. My love and prayers to you all.

  • So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. May fond memories of him help ease the pain of your loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
    Respectfully,
    John and Denise jaskewich

  • Dear Diane and family,

    So sorry to read of your fathers passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and your dad.

    Deb Littlefield, (Cindy and Joe’s Mom)

  • Laura and Diane and extended family, so sorry to hear of you grand father passing on. Your love and support for him over the years has been wonderful. In my heart and prayers.

    Judy Mazur

  • To the entire Hojnicki family:

    Please accept my condolences on the passing of Joe. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. It was an honor to have known such a great person. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Rich Krett

    Sewall’s Point, FL

  • To the Hojnicki family sorry for your guys lost he was a good friend of the family I will be miss R.I.P joe until we meet again

  • To the Hojnicki family sorry for your guys lost he was a good friend of the family I will be miss R.I.P joe until we meet again

  • Our thoughts and prayers to all of the Hojnicki family. You lost a husband, father, grandfathter and the fire service of Delaware lost a truly honest, sincere and dedicated gentleman. May he rest in peace and god be with you all. Bob & Fran Romig, Five Points FC

  • May God comfort the family at this difficult time.
    Joe was a great man and will be sadly missed.

  • Diane, your mom and family,
    On behalf of the Katurakes family I want to express our sadness in learning of your dad, husband and wonderful man’s passing. I saw your mom at the hospital. Our prayers are for you and your family. As one of the families who attended frequent mass at OLF , it was always nice to see him, you and your mom( and your children and now grandchildren) in the Same pew each week. He is at rest now in heaven.

  • Joe was the father of the Fire Service for the Minquadale Fire Company.We will miss you Joe. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

    Wayne and Terry Lambert

  • So sorry for your loss, Joe was a wonderful man always willing to help I have so many memories growing up around the firehouse with Joe and Irene. I will miss his smiling face. Thoughts and prayers to you Irene and your family in your time of need.

  • Dear Hojnicki Family,

    Even though I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your beloved Dad, I do know his beautiful daughter Patti Addison! With his wife Irene, he raised a wonderful family and they loved him dearly. He will be missed!

  • My heart is breaking for you all and for myself. I feel like I have lost a father. Your family always made me feel like part of the family, part of an amazingly strong, loving family. The world has lost an amazing man. I have a lifetime of memories of you all. I wish I could be there. Sending love and hugs. My heart just aches.

    Maggie Crossan
    (Butch and Brian send their love also)

  • Diane I am so sorry to hear of your Fathers passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

    Meg Hartman

  • Dear Hojnicki Family,

    I was very sad to hear of Mr. Hojnicki’s passing. He was a truly good man and I feel for all of you. In this time of sorrow, know that all who knew him appreciated his kindness. You are all in our thoughts and prayers, take care and and relish your memories of him.

    Love, Ruth and Gino Veriopoulos and Marie Neeman

  • The officers and members of Mill Creek Fire Company, Stations 2 & 21, extend our sincere condolences toward the Hojnicki family and our brothers and sisters at Minquadale Fire Company. May fond memories and warm wishes ease your pain in this time of loss.

  • Dear Irene and family,
    We pray that God blesses you with comfort, strength and healing during this most difficult time. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of a wonderful man who we truly respected, admired, and loved. A man we are blessed and honored to have known. May he rest in peace.

  • Dear Cioci Irene, Joe, Patti, Diane and Michael – How fortunate I am to have had Uncle Joe as my Godfather. He was truly a wonderful man who was always so very good to me. Uncle Joe had such a positive effect on everyone whose life he touched, and his love for his family shown through in everything that he said and did. God bless you all during this difficult time. You will continue to be in my prayers. Love, Elaine and Bruce