Obituary of Joseph Sylvester Gruszczynski

Joseph Sylvester Gruszczynski, 82, of West Orange passed away on Friday, March 27, 2020.    

Due to the recommended safety measures caused by the Coronavirus, Funeral Services are being privately arranged by The Dangler Funeral Home of West Orange, 340 Main St., West Orange, NJ 07052. A Memorial Celebration of Joseph’s life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joseph’s name to: National Multiple Sclerosis Society New Jersey Metro Chapter, 246 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, NJ 07755

Joseph was born and raised in Ambridge, Pennsylvania and lived in Newark before moving to West Orange 51 years ago. He was a school teacher working for the Bloomfield Board of Education. He was a parishioner, Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and member of the Holy Name Society and the Choir at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Joseph was a member of the Secular Augustinian Recollects, and the New Jersey Teachers Association. 

Joseph was the beloved husband of Ella Jane Slivka (nee Liegey), and the late Gabreille Gruszczynski (nee Sidwa).  Devoted father of Valerie Schoen and her husband Joseph, Elaine Leventhal and her husband David, Kathy Granitzki and her husband Jim, John Slivka and his wife Kim, Mary Sorgi and her husband Tony, and Paul Slivka and his wife Liz. Loving brother of Mary Gruszczynski, Stash Grus, and Eddie Gruszczynski.  Cherished grandfather of Talia, Alexander, Rich, Jim, Pat, John, Michael, Christina, Tony, Brenda, Julie, Peter, Paul, Anna, Greg, great-grandchild, Ella Jane, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.