Obituary of Michael J. Gwozdz

"South Hadley – Michael J. Gwozdz Jr., 71, beloved husband of the late Mary (Fogarty) Gwozdz, passed peacefully surrounded by family on March 28, 2015 after a long battle with diabetes and cancer. He was born May 19, 1943 in Holyoke, MA, son of the late Michael J. Sr. and Mary (Haber) Gwozdz. He graduated from South Hadley High School and Holyoke Junior College, served in the National Guard, and was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church. Mike worked construction his entire life, retiring from Crocker Building Co. of Springfield. He is survived by his five children: Michael J. Gwozdz III and wife Laurie of Medway, MA, David Gwozdz and wife Michele of N. Reading, MA, Meg Gwozdz of Reading, MA, John Gwozdz and wife Jen of Franklin, MA and Kate Raymond and husband Keith of Reading, MA. He will be remembered by his treasured grandchildren, ranging in age from 22 to 2 years of age: Erin, Bryan, Chris, Colleen, Andrew, Colgan, Gavin and Devlin. Mike will also be missed by his brother Jim Gwozdz and wife Donna of Coventry, CT, his sister Kathy Carey and her husband Tom of Ruskin, FL, his brother Bill Gwozdz and wife Karen of Pawlet, VT, in-laws Claire Berube and husband Charlie of Chicopee, John Fogarty and wife Debby of Holyoke and Joanne Fogarty of Holyoke, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 31st from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home at 9:00 am on Wednesday, April 1st to proceed to a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Church. Burial will follow in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center at joslin.org or Melanoma Research Foundation at melanoma.org."