Joel Rudolph Krass

Joel was born on 10/21/24 in the United States. When he was about 2 years old, his family moved back to Poland. Joel’s mom and dad divorced and his mom and sister moved back to the United States leaving Joel behind with his dad. Joel moved in with an Aunt and lived with them until age 11. The war was about to start and Joel’s family felt it would be better for him to return to the United States. In 1936, Joel boarded a passenger ship from Poland to New York City to meet his mom and sister. When Joel arrived in the United States (his name was Joel Rudolph Krasnowski), he couldn’t speak English at all but he managed to excel in school. When asked about any special training or colleges, Joel said he had taken various technical courses and was a graduate from the “School of Hard Knocks.” Joel’s mom passed away soon after he returned to the United States and he and his sister had to live with relatives in New Jersey, where he spent most of his early years working on their farm.

Joel joined the Navy during World War II and was a Seaman First Class. He was honorably discharged on June 2, 1946.

Joel started his career at Johns Manville in 1946 for $0.89 (cents) per hour. Originally Joel started working in Manville, New Jersey. The plant in Manville, New Jersey was built in 1909 and employed around 5500 people. In 1948, on the other side of the river from the plant, they built the research center. Joel moved to the research center where he became the Maintenance Foreman. In 1966, he was asked to transfer to General Engineering where he stayed until retirement in 1982. From then on, Joel worked for JM as a consultant. When asked about Manville, New Jersey, Joel said that it was known as the town with a bar on every corner.

In 1954, Joel changed the family’s last name of Krasnowski to Krass. This was to make it easier for his side job/business as a plumber. Joel worked long hours supporting his large family; a Johns Manville employee by day, a plumber by night/weekend. The family always had food on the table. And that meant a lot to Joel; he so enjoyed the meals cooked by Gertrude. Especially the weekend dinners.

In 1972, Joel, his wife, Gertrude and two younger daughters moved to Colorado when Johns Manville made the decision to relocate. From that year on, the family lived in the same house in Littleton. Joel was fortunate to still live in the same house until his passing, which is amazing for the age of 89 (almost 90)! Joel lost his beloved wife, Gertrude, to cancer in 2002. They were married over 50 years. Together Joel and Gertrude have 5 daughters; Joyce Covert, Betty Kennedy, Vera Hart, Cathy Tarter and Nancy Krass. Along with 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren, with another on the way.

One of the memorable events Joel remembered with his children was a fishing trip when the daughters ALL got sea sick on a private fishing boat off the Jersey coast. He also remembered ALL of the weddings and their cost to the “OLD MAN.” Which was a lot with 5 daughters!

Joel enjoyed hunting elk, deer, pheasant, dove, quail and turkey hunting. He also enjoyed fishing. Be it in the early years at Chatfield (with his Johns Manville buddies), to the rivers of Wyoming (Miracle Mile or Wind River). In fact, Joel continued to hunt with his daughter up until 2 years ago.

Joel’s greatest achievement in life was being around to raise and educate his 5 children. And to see his grandchildren either graduate from college, or lead successful lives in the careers they chose. His goal was to stay healthy, continue to live in his house and stay independent. Which he definitely did – until 89 years old. And that says a lot!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society, POB 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, 1-800-227-2345, www.cancer.org

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, Centennial, Colorado.