Joseph Orze

Joseph Orze, 87, of Boca Raton, Florida, passed-away on Friday, May 29, 2020. He was predeceased by his eldest son Mark Orze and his brother, John Orzehowski. Joseph is survived by his wife Carol; his son Craig; his daughter Noelle; two grandchildren, Aaron Orze and Meghan Orze; and three great grandchildren, Dakota, Romeo, and Atticus. Also his two sisters: Mary Ann Casebolt and Rosemary Bregande.

Joseph was born in Exeter, Pennsylvania to John and Veronica Orzechowski on December 11, 1932. He was raised in Binghamton, NY where he attended North High School. Joseph excelled academically and athletically throughout high school. He was recruited by numerous top universities for his artistic abilities and athletic prowess. Joseph ultimately selected Syracuse University after receiving a full scholarship to play football and participate within their superb art program. He became an accomplished artist and a formidable football player while attending Syracuse. Joseph played linebacker and deep snapper for four seasons. Syracuse appeared in the Orange Bowl during Joseph’s time with the football team. Joseph lettered in football, boxing, and baseball while attending Syracuse.

During Joseph’s junior year at Syracuse, he met his wife, Carol M. Schiferle, at a fraternity function and they were married in 1956 at St. Ann’s Church in Buffalo, NY.

Joseph graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1955 and received a Master of Science degree from Syracuse one year later. After finishing his master’s program, Joseph taught art and education at Syracuse from 1956 to 1959.

From 1959 to 1966, Joseph was an Associate Professor of Art at New York State University in New Paltz and at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfeesboro, While teaching at Middle Tennessee State University, Joseph received a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Joseph’s aspiration at that time was to become chairman of a college art department. He was selected for that position in 1966 at Southern Connecticut State College where he became a Professor of Art.

Joseph demonstrated his administrative skills during his years as Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Southeastern Massachusetts University from 1969 to 1975. While at Southeastern Massachusetts University, he was appointed acting Dean of the Faculty. Joseph was named the university’s representative to the Board of Higher Education and was selected to be the negotiator for the Board of Trustees with the SMU Faculty Federation, AFL-CIO. In the latter position, Joseph negotiated the first such collective bargaining contract in the country.

Joseph was preeminent in the field of art. He gained recognition through numerous articles published in professional journals. Joseph was co-author of the book Art from Scrap which was published in 1973. He exhibited in over sixty regional competitive exhibitions and by invitation at thirty colleges, universities, museums, and private galleries. His works were accepted as part of permanent collections both in this country and abroad, including the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, NY and the Institute of Art of the Benedictine Fathers in Rome, Italy. Joseph also was the originator and host of “Art and Ideas”, a television show produced at WDCN-TV in Nashville and distributed nationally by ETV Library of Atlanta.

After leaving Southeastern Massachusetts University, Joseph continued his illustrious career in higher education and was appointed president of Worcester State College (1975-82) followed by Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA (1982-85). Upon leaving higher education in 1985, Joseph worked on a few business ventures and wrote scripts for multimedia companies in Florida.

Joseph was a member of Rotary International since joining in Dartmouth, MA in 1972. He was an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Boca Raton, FL.

Joseph’s colleagues referred to him as an outstanding educator and administrator. Close friends described him as a formidable athlete. Others ascribed to him the qualities of a gifted artist. Joseph was truly a renaissance man.

Services will be held at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton, FL on Friday, June 26, 2020. Funeral Arrangements under Babione-Kraeer Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice by the Sea, 1531 W Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486.