Joseph M. Kopesky, age 90 of Kenosha, died peacefully on Sunday, November 5, 2017, with his loving family by his side.

Born in Kenosha on April 16, 1927, he was the son of the late Julius and Mary (Moticik) Kopesky.

From July 17, 1944 until his honorable discharge on January 15, 1948, Joseph served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. During his time in the service, Joseph was stationed on the L.S.T. Ship, A.K.A. 106 and U.S.S. Union. He attained the rank of Baker 1^st Class and was involved in the South Pacific, Asiatic Campaign and the Invasion of Okinawa with the 3^rd Amphibious Fleet. He brought supplies to the Arctic Circle. He proudly received the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

On January 28, 1950 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Winifred Fox.

For nearly 30 years, Joseph was employed with the City of Kenosha in their Street Department Division. He retired in 1989. Previously, he was employed with the Simmons Company, Briggs Landscaping, City Food and as a chaperone for teenage dances that were held at the American Legion.

He enjoyed working in his rose garden, completing word searches, playing his harmonica for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and playing Canasta with relatives. Joseph also loved watching old movies; especially “Ben Hur” and the “Ten Commandments”.  Daily he loved to purchase scratch lottery tickets for his lovely wife.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Winifred Kopesky; his beautiful daughters, Kathleen (Bradley) Matthews, Peggy Guibault and Tina (Fernando) Llanas; seven grandchildren, Joseph, Ryan, Aaron, Sarah, Allyson, Alexander and Nicholas; ten great grandchildren; his son-in-law, Jon Gyurina; and his sister-in-law, Patricia Kopesky.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jane Gyurina; his son-in-law, Paul Guibault; his brothers, John, Julius, Jr. and Lawrence Kopesky; and his sisters, Mary Latawiec, Ella Matteucci and Anne Sabol.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Hull, Dr. Abbo, Kenosha Hospital, Brookside Care Center and mostly Hospice Alliance, Inc. for their care and compassion during Joseph’s short illness.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Joseph’s life will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave., Kenosha, WI. Entombment with military honors will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.