Joseph W. Pietruszka

Joseph Walter Pietruszka, age 58, passed away suddenly on March 19, 2024. Joseph was born on May 13, 1965 in Utica, NY, the son of Walter and Hazel Kennett Pietruszka. After graduating from Whitesboro Senior High, he went on to start his working life restoring cars alongside his brother, Raymond.

On a fateful New Years Eve at the end of the 1980s, he met the love of his life, Tracey, and before the clock struck 12 on the start of 1990s, they were married. Together, the two started a family and Joseph found the most happiness in being an active part of his daughters’ lives. Whether it was building two-story houses on stage for the New Hartford High School Masque Drama Club for Angelina or cheering on the New Hartford Marching Spartans at the Carrier Dome led by Victoria as Drum Major, he always had the biggest smile in the building while he was supporting them. His passion for woodworking led him to a career of artistic wood creations that could be found at craft fairs throughout the Mohawk Valley and, after the set-building days were done, home remodeling. Most recently, he relished the title of “Grandpa Joe” and could be found playing card games and building LEGOs with his grandson, David.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Tracey Hall Pietruszka; daughters, Angelina (Justin) Beaudry and Victoria (Shaun Ente) Pietruszka; grandson, David Beaudry; siblings, Joan (Jim) Barton, Debbie (Joe) Sheets and Ray (Chriss) Pietruszka; sisters-in-law, Lynda Briggs and Renee Coppins; nephews, Alex Barton, Danny Sheets, Charles Pietruszka and Tommy Pietruszka; nieces, Kim (Matt) Tyoe and Tess (Tim) O’Brien; grandniece, Jane O’Brien; and grandnephew, Wade O’Brien; nephews, Brandon Hall and Matthew Huff; and niece, Holly (Randy) Gentry through Tracey; lifelong friend, Dawn Gubbins; and many cousins and friends. Joseph was predeceased by his son, Nicholas Joseph Pietruszka; parents, Walter Pietruszka and Hazel Kennett Pietruszka; parents-in-law, Richard Arthur Hall, Sr. and Josephine Servello Hall; brothers-in-law, Jerry Briggs and John Coppins; and loving cousin, John Jarosz.

Calling hours will be held at the Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service, Inc., 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford on Monday, March 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. with a service to follow immediately.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joseph’s name to the Reach Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association.

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