Joseph Buchalski

Joseph Buchalski was born in 1920 – 90 years ago, in Jersey City, NJ. He started singing at the age of 6 winning first prize ($5.00) at theatres throughout Hudson County. He never finished less than first - ever!

Joe attended Henry Snyder High School, becoming involved in Operettas performed through the Music Department. He played “Nanki Poo” in the Mikado and starred in major singing rolls in both “Babes in Toyland” and “Hansel and Gretel”. He graduated high school with the great distinction of “Most Musical”. It was his music teacher who encouraged him to audition as a boy soprano for the prestigious “Trinity Church Choir”. He was accepted immediately. He performed with the choir until he joined the army in January of 1942.

Joe’s military career encompassed serving in various Army Ordinance Companies throughout the Caribbean. During his tour of duty in Puerto Rico, he became hospitalized. After recovering, he came home on furlough in December, 1944 and married his high school sweetheart, Anne Cioffi. They celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary this past December. Joe later re-joined the Trinity Choir and sang with them for over 20 years.

Joe was employed at the Brooklyn Navy yard for many years before changing to the civilian world working for various engineering firms. At his last assignment he worked for Combustion Engineering on projects as diverse as an oil platform and a coal gasification plant and worked in such diverse locations as Venezuela, Denhague in the Netherlands, London, England and many U.S. locations including Detroit, Michigan, Alabama and Anaheim, California

Deeply devoted to his family, he became involved in many community groups. He was an umpire as well as the President of the local Little League. He was a past commander of the Kearny AMVETS and a member of the North Arlington Knights of Columbus (#3428) later becoming Grand Knight and eventually District Deputy.

Joe and Anne spent 66 wonderful years traveling, enjoying their friends and family, and moving to new homes and communities over the years while building new friendships and activities.

Joe and Anne have 2 children Robert and Joanne. Robert retired after 37 years with Merrill Lynch. He and his wife Linda, have 2 children. Dana is a sales manager for Coke Enterprises and Brian is employed in the pharmaceutical industry. Joanne held a number of positions at various pharmaceutical companies over her 25 year career. She is married to Jerry and has a daughter Jennifer, a senior consultant for Deloitte Consulting in New York City.

Joe was a member of the Oceanaires for 19 years. His love of music spans his entire life and his devotion to his wife and family, a lifetime.

Joe is survived by his wife, Anne, their two children, 3 grandchildren and one great granddaughter and his brother, Bernard, of Bartow, Florida.