Joseph Kozlowski

Joseph was born in the Bronx in 1935 and spent his early life there with his parents Joseph and Jean (Golembiewski).

In 1952, he met Lucille Doran and they married in December 1955. Late the next year their only child, Laura, was born. By 1960, they purchased their first home in Yonkers, New York. Joe was very proud to have self-built his next home using the skills he learned from school and his father. The family lived there until his retirement in 1980. Off to Florida they went until they heard they would be grandparents for a second time, resulting in their move to Charlotte in 1987. They lived in Charlotte until their move to Sun City in 2014.

Joseph spent his career working for the City of New York. First, working for the New York City Transit system as an electrician. His ‘real’ career began in April 1960 after passing the Police entrance exams, becoming a beat cop for the NYC Police Department in the 48th precinct in the Bronx. His police career took him to several precincts and departments, ultimately returning to the 48th Precinct as a Homicide Detective. He retired in May 1980 after over 20 years of service to the ‘City’.

To all who knew Joe, he was a proud American, but also of his family’s Polish Heritage. He served in the Marine Reserves. He was a member and officer in the NYPD 10-13 Club of Charlotte, NC (An organization dedicated to supporting retired police officers). During his years of service in NY, he was a member, and served on the board, of the Pulaski Association within the New York City Police Department. Every year, Joe enjoyed time with a group of friends from the Association in the Catskills. It would not be surprising to hear a polka coming from the backyard in the summer. Here in Sun City he would be found every morning with a group, the ‘Table of Knowledge’, always seeking to celebrate America and discuss the issues of the day.

In retirement Joe and Lucille led an active life. First moving to Florida where Joe continued his skills fixing his homes, making additions and entertaining frequent ‘snow-birds’ from NY and PA. He found friends everywhere, including one who gave him the opportunity to regularly go sailing on a 35’ Sailboat; in exchange for that can-do energy and knowledge to fix the diesel and varnish the trim.

He and Lucille spent time traveling, mainly with family. Highlights included taking his mother to Poland, joining the whole family on a tour of the US West and taking the family on a Transatlantic cruise celebrating his and Lucille’s 50th Wedding anniversary. The trips they always enjoyed, were the trips visiting the grandchildren.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Lucille; his daughter Laura (Rettew) and her husband Christopher, their children, Andrew and wife Daniella, Katherine (Phillips) and husband Michael, and Emily; and his great grandchildren Clare and Grant. Extended family was always important to Joe - these included brother William (Bill) Kozlowski (deceased) and wife MaryAnn, children Lisa and William Jr.; brother Larry Kozlowski and son Christopher. Service runs deep in the entire Kozlowski family - Bill served in the Navy and as a NY Corrections Officer, Larry also in the Navy, Bill’s son is a NY State Corrections officer and Larry’s son Christopher is in the Homeland Security Squad of the NYPD.

Visitation will be from 10-11am at McEwen-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11am with a light lunch to follow.

An obituary may be viewed online by accessing www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com