Joe was born on October 14, 1929, the son of Thomas and Catherine (Pieczontka), who preceded him in death, along with siblings: Helen, Cecilia Bomberski, Leo, Lottie, Virginia and Anna.
He graduated from the University of Detroit (A.B.), Catholic University of America (M.L.S.), and Georgetown University (M.S.).
He was Associate Librarian Emeritus at the University of Michigan. He was a valued mentor and influenced a generation of university scholars.
Joe was a devout Roman Catholic. He was passionate about literature and the arts.
He will be remembered as a man of great intellect, generosity and kindness.
He was a loving uncle and is survived by a niece, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews. Joe also had many friends in the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas, and around the country.
Cremation has taken place. A private memorial mass will take place at a later date. His cremains will be interred in the memorial garden at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan.