Joseph John Starzomski

Joe was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia to John and Valerie (Kokoshki) Starzomski. The family lived on Lingan Road in Whitney Pier, in a home built by his father, who worked at the Steel Plant. The family were members of St. Mary’s Polish Church. As a youth, he enjoyed involvement with hockey, baseball, and the Air Cadets. He graduated from Sydney Academy and then earned a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at St. Francis Xavier University in 1965. Thereafter he moved to Halifax where he met Rose (McKnight) from Milton, Nova Scotia who was completing her nursing training at the Victoria General Hospital. The couple married on November 4, 1967, and settled in Dartmouth.

In the early 1970’s, Joe joined the staff of the Nova Scotia Research Foundation where he worked until 1995. His innovative work allowed him to share his work around the world and meet other leading scientists. He was also kept busy raising Andrew, Mark, and Joanne. He took an active role in coaching and leadership roles in the Woodlawn youth hockey association, enjoying the friendship of many families and youth from the community through those years. The family were members of St. Thomas More Church, where he taught high school catechism. He had a key role in designing the systems to transform the toxic Sydney Tar Ponds into the clean community space we know today. Joe was a devoted and generous father and grandfather who helped his children settle into school, work, and new homes across the country. Active with work and family life through his later adult years, he enjoyed exploring the Bras D’Or Lakes on his boat, tending to his home and property at East River Point and cheering on the Patriots. He volunteered at the Chester Food Bank and was quietly a generous contributor to several aid agencies, health causes, and academic institutions.

Joe is survived by his wife, Rose; sons, Andrew (Sappho) and Mark (Tara); daughter, Joanne (Dan); sister Irene Liska (New Glasgow); and grandchildren (Hannah, Thomas, Lila, Eli, Daphne, Devon, and Arlo).

The family is grateful to the staff and physicians at hospitals in Halifax and Bridgewater for their skilled and compassionate care over the course of his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BreakthroughT1D, the QE-II Health Sciences Center Foundation or the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore.

A funeral mass will be held at 1 pm on Friday, April 25 at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys church in Tantallon, Nova Scotia. Reception in church hall to follow.