Colonel (Ret) Joseph (Joe) Edward Wasiak passed away of natural causes at the age of 90 on November 16, 2021 at the Avanti Senior Living facility in Flower Mound, Texas. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 7, 1931 the son of Joseph P. and Aldona (Palubin) Wasiak.
Joe attended Brooklyn Prep High School graduating in 1948 followed by entry into the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated with the class of 1952. He was commissioned as an infantry officer where he served successfully, commanding at every level from platoon to brigade. In addition, he had a secondary specialty in nuclear weapons and nuclear defense systems. He served for a total of 25 years in the Army which was highlighted by his command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division in Viet Nam from 1967-68 and his command of the 197th Infantry Brigade at Ft Benning, Georgia from 1974-76. He also served as a special assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Atomic energy while assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, DC. He was a graduate of the Army General Staff course and the National War College. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1977 he went to work for the El Paso Electric Company and served as their Senior Vice President for Operations until his retirement in 1991. His held a bachelor’s degree from the Military Academy, a Master’s of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Catholic Theology from the University of Dallas. Since 2008 he has resided in the Dallas area and was, up until recently, a resident and active member of the St Joseph’s Village in Coppell, TX.
A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Joe was extremely devoted to his wife of 69 years, Jeanne, and their family of seven children. He was, throughout his life, a committed member of his faith and catholic community and an example for all. He was a regular lector at St Joseph’s Sunday services and coordinated their perpetual adoration ministry.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne, who passed away in August, and is survived by his brother Thomas Wasiak, his seven children; Joseph Wasiak, Jr. (Jennifer Blum Wasiak), Douglas Wasiak, Mark Wasiak (Lynnda Hedrick Wasiak), Michael Wasiak, Mary Wasiak (Will van Overbeek), Margaret Casey (Barry Casey), Kathryn Rose (David McSpadden); twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Coppell on Monday, December 6, at a 10:00 am followed by a reception at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home. A procession will follow to the National Cemetery in Dallas where Colonel Wasiak will be buried with full military honors at 1:30 pm.
