Joseph “Joe” Gudzelak
August 27, 1954 - September 9, 2019
Joseph “Joe” Gudzelak, age 65, of Clayton, DE, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2019.
Born in Wilmington, DE on August 27, 1954, he was a son of the late Joseph Gudzelak and Rose (Pilli) McKinney. Joe was a graduate of P.S. DuPont High School. He worked for Chrysler on the assembly line and retired after many dedicated years.
In his earlier years, Joe was an altar boy and was in the drum core. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and watching the Philadelphia Eagles. Joe had a love of music, his favorite was the band Kiss. His fondest memories were made during time spent with his family.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers, Francis, Andrew and Stephen; and grandson, Hayden Thaxton. He is survived by his children, Jenny Werline (Matt) of Wilmington, Johanna Gudzelak of New Castle, Jacqueline Gudzelak of New Castle and Gina Gudzelak of Pflugerville, TX; sister, Mary Nepi; brother, John Gudzelak; and grandchildren, Riley, Nathan, Mason, Kaylee, Jordan, Cheyanne, J’Lina, Brayden, Ava, Harmony and Brad, Jr.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 pm until 2 pm on Thursday, September 19, 2019, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 2 pm. Interment will be held privately.
Debbie Allen
So sorry for your loss.
Sheila Ayers
I am so very sorry for your loss 💔🙏🙏 my thoughts and prayers are with you 💜
Charles W Myers
Joe, you will be dearly missed by so many. I love you and you were probably the best older brother/father figure that I have ever had in my life. I cannot wait to meet you again in Heaven one day. I am so sorry that you were misunderstood by some. Thank you so much for all you did for me and all the great advice you gave me. I’m also so sorry we lost contact for so long but I didn’t realize until it was too late. Life is unfortunately taken for granted and we always believe we have more time than we do. I love you, Joe, and I am going to miss you so much.
For everyone who doesn’t know, Joe took me in for a while when I was 18. I was so over being abused by my father and witnessing his abuse of my sisters and my mother, who was going through chemo and radiation at the time. I had been leaving home somewhat daily or was thrown out and had been sneaking into a high school and other places to sleep during the night (locked in the boy’s bathroom) and then creatively sneaking back out in the morning. Joe had nothing but kind words for me and never had anything to say other than encouragement and to be better than my father. We only ever had one disagreement, which was an honest mistake on my part and was over before the day was over. Joe was probably the best friend I ever had, always treated me with respect like I was a little brother, and I looked up to him like a father. Looking back on life, I should have stayed with him much longer than I did and let him help me find a job like he had offered. I was stubborn teen, though, and sought after having fun rather than being responsible. Even so, Joe gave me his best advice but wished me good luck and blessings from God.
Joe, again, I love you and I have missed you for some time. Now, I miss you even more and never allowed myself the opportunity to properly thank you for what you did for me. Joe, my friend, Chuck-man will see you relatively soon, as life is but a vapor… 😢 ❤️
Holly Euston
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family
Patti Tranum
Jackie & Family,
Very sorry to hear of the loss of your father.
douglas shelley
worked with Joe at Chrysler, He was a funny, guy sort of went on his own path. My sympathies to his family may he RIP
Jeffrey B. Dennis
So sorry for your loss. As a member of Blue Rock and marched in the drum line with Joe, I send Prayers to his family. It has been many years since we were together marching but he will always be a brother to all of us. Rest well my old friend.
Coop.
Man. Just saw this post on social media. “Crazy Joe” I called him. Great times working together at Newark Assembly. Especially with the raspy voice and hollering. My man. Joe Guzlack.
Patsy
Jackie – thinking of you !!! Sorry for your loss …