Joseph Ferenc

Joe was born in rural Kaweczynek Poland on November 26, 1927, to Pawel and Franciszka. In 1942 at the age of 14, he was taken from Poland to Germany and into forced labor by the German Army. In January 1946, Joe joined the Allied Occupation Army, including a memorable tour of guard duty at Nuremburg. With nearly 5 years of military service, he was offered the chance to move to America, sponsored by his uncle Joseph Ferenc in Wyandotte Michigan.

Joe met his first wife, Lillian, at a ballroom dance in Detroit Michigan, gallantly coming to her aid versus an ungentlemanly dance partner. They raised two sons, James and Robert. A conscientious and vigorous worker, Joe supported his family as a brewer at Stroh’s Brewery, taking every opportunity to work overtime hours and earn a good living.

Joe’s passion was summer vacation travel, with memorable road trips to New York City, Florida, Colorado, California, New England, and British Columbia. By example, he taught the value of honest work, faithfulness to family, and education.

In the early 1990s, Joe and Lillian retired to Colorado where he took up golf, home projects, travel, grandchildren, and of course, dancing. He tirelessly supported Lillian as she fought cancer. Lillian passed away in 1996 after 42 years of marriage.

Joe met his second wife, Gloria, at a seniors dance, and they married in 2001. Together they enjoyed golf, travel, and more dancing. Again the faithful husband, Joe supported Gloria in her struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Gloria passed away at age 90 in 2019.

Joe is survived by sons James Ferenc and Robert Ferenc; daughters-in-law Laura (James) Ferenc, Ann (Robert) Ferenc; and grandchildren Jennifer (Derek) Lindberg, Michael Ferenc, Alexander (Samantha) Ferenc, Adam Ferenc, and Beatrice (Joshua) Westberg.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 2 from 4pm to 7pm at Howe Mortuary, followed by a Funeral Mass on Thursday October 3 at 11am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, both in Longmont, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org).

Fond memories & expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Ferenc family.