Josef "Joe" Hajek

Joe led a dynamic life, filled with family, passion and a wide array of experiences and accomplishments.

He was born March 18, 1958 to the late Antonin & Agnes Hajek in the town of Hluk in the Czech Republic.

Always a high achiever, Joe rose to become part of the Czechoslovakian national soccer team as a goalie for the Sparta League. Then, after defecting under communism, and spending a year in an Austrian refugee camp, Joe entered the United States in 1980 and continued his soccer career with the Chicago Sting.

While in Chicago, Joe worked as a D.J., went on to get his CPA at DePaul University, and met his beloved wife, Anne. Marrying his beautiful bride, Joe found business success with The Marmon Group and Price Waterhouse. And, soon after they started their family, he was hired by Tupperware Brands, moving them all to Florida in 1996. He traveled back and forth to complete his MBA from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University; and, became Tupperware’s Senior Vice President of Tax & Governmental Affairs, traveling all around the world, becoming affectionately known as “The Pope of Tax”.

Joe speaks five languages, aiding him not only in his work, but in his dry humor…eventually linking everything to a song. He still listens to punk music, along with the Rat Pack and Fox News. Joe attempted to begin most conversations with tough Republican politics! But, everyone knows his top passion is his family. He loved hunting quail and pheasant, or deep sea fishing with his three adored children, all grown and successful in their own rites. Tony says he may have liked driving the boat more than the fishing – his 2007 Carolina Classic, named the “Hook Shot”!

Joe was respected and loved, and we already miss him dearly…

He is survived by his dear wife, Anne; children, John, Anthony and Arianna; grandson, Lyric; and, brother, Antonin Hajek.

Please join us for Visitation on Thursday, June 13 from 5-8pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida. A Celebration of Joe’s Life will be held there on Saturday, June 15th at 2:30pm with burial and reception to follow.

Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com