Joseph L. Olko, entered into eternal life at the age of 95 Saturday (November 9, 2013) at St. Francis Medical Center, Hartford. He was the beloved husband of 70 years to the late Helen M. Talbot Olko and the son of the late Thomas and Ludwika (Kret) Olko. He was born March 8, 1918, in Chicopee, MA and had resided in Enfield for most of his life.
Joseph proudly served his country, during WWII, as a member of the United States Army Air Corp. Prior to his retirement as a carpenter with Local 43 Carpenters Union he had been a Master Weaver at Bigelow Sanford of Thompsonville, CT. He was also owner and operator of Shaker Park Restaurant of Enfield, with his brother Max, for 38 years. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Ludlow Country Club where he won many tournaments.
A loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, Joseph will be missed by his children, Joel Olko and wife, Peg of Enfield, Tom Olko and wife Carol of Monroe, NC, Janice Giordano and husband, Mario of Springfield, MA, Robert Olko and wife, Debra of Westfield, MA and Gary Olko and wife, Nancy of Enfield, grandchildren; James Olko, Christopher Olko and wife, Lori, Duane Olko and wife, Michelle, Jason Olko and wife, Victoria, Marci Olko, Krystal Olko, Robert Olko, DeeDee Conway and husband, Ken, Ray Dowding and wife, Betsy and Bob Dowding and wife, Jody, great grandchildren; Joel Olko, Alexa Olko, Adam James Olko, Mia Moore, Taysia Moore, Matthew Moore, Ingrid Olko, Guthrie Olko, Kenny Conway, Katie Conway, Katherine Dowding, Alyssa Dowding, Paige Dowding and Bobbie Joe Dowding, along with many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may gather with Joseph’s family during calling hours, Wednesday, November 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels 43 Shaker Rd., Enfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Adalbert Church. Burial, with military honors, will take place in St. Adalbert Cemetery. Memorial Donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to St. Adalbert Church, 90 Alden Avenue, Enfield, CT 06082.
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