Joseph W. Hojnicki, Sr.

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.