Obituary of Joseph B. Grajewski

Joseph B. Grajewski, 83, of Teller Street, passed away peacefully Sunday morning at St. Mary?s Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born in Amsterdam on Sept. 7, 1922, the son of the late Benjamin and Karolina Bik Grajewski, he was educated locally and lived here his entire life. His career in auto body repair began in his early years, and he was employed at one time for Hyman?s Autobody. In 1959, he founded the former Joe?s Auto Body Shop which he operated until he retired in 1985. During World War II, he proudly served his country in the US Army in Europe. He was awarded several Victory and Conduct medals and was honorably discharged in 1946. Joseph was a member of the special 100th Infantry Division National Association. He was a communicant of St. Stanislaus? Roman Catholic Church and the St. Stan?s Seniors, and a former member of the Holy Name Society of the church. On Sept. 7, 1946, he was united in marriage to the former Elizabeth Pawlowski. On Oct. 1, 1992, she predeceased him. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Gayle A. Grajewski of Amsterdam; his dear sisters, Jessie Jurusik and Frances Tonko and her husband Stanley, and a sister in law Adeline Rabacoukas all of Amsterdam; nephews and nieces, Assemblyman Paul D. Tonko, Patricia Tonko, William, Frank, Jack, David and Clifford Pawlowski, Christine Gould, Diane Koshak, Dorothy Richenson, Barbara and Richard Pawloski and several cousins. Services are Wednesday at 8:30 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by the Funeral Mass, which will be offered at 9:30 am at St. Stanislaus? Church, Fr. David Mickiewicz celebrant. Interment will take place with military honors at St. Stanislaus? Cemetery. Calling hours are this evening from 5-8 pm at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in his memory to St. Stanislaus? Church, 50 Cornell Street, Amsterdam, or GAVAC, P.O. Box 11, Amsterdam 12010.