WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — Joseph B. Kozicki, 88, of 3763 Hwy. 54 West, Nekoosa, Wis.,  passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Riverview Hospital.

Joe was born in Bevent, Wis., on July 24, 1922, son of Helen (Dombeck) and Joseph Kozicki. At an early age, his father passed away and Helen married Leo Damask, who raised Joe as his own.

On Nov. 21, 1944, Joe married Joan Louise Malicke. They settled in the Nekoosa and Wisconsin Rapids areas to raise their family of six children.

Joe worked in the foundry during the war and afterwards trained as a millwright. As a celebrated millwright and member of the Carpenter’s Union Local 804, he was known as “Jolly Joe” to his coworkers because of his ability to bring humor and enjoyment to the workplace. However, his true love in his career was that of a fine finish carpenter — of which he was truly an artist. He was proud of the houses he built and the kitchens and bathrooms that he installed and furniture he made; driving through town he would always point out the houses he built or which houses had one of his kitchens. He was also very proud of his outdoor Christmas decorations which invited many onlookers and admirers.

Among his favorite activities were the Saturday night card games with the Ponzoch’s — virtually every Saturday night for 50 years the two couples gathered to play canasta. He also enjoyed going to Canada to go fishing, any family activity, and going out for breakfast with “the guys”. His time with his children, grandchildren, great- and great-great-grandchildren were always cherished and brought contentment to his day.

Recently, he and his wife most enjoyed reading their journals and reminiscing about the trips they took during retirement to Europe and most of the U.S.

He leaves behind his wife, Joan, of 66 years; his sons, Joseph and his wife Pat of Wisconsin Rapids, Steve and his wife Leslie of Rudolph, and John and his wife September of Rudolph; his daughters Annette Sackett and her husband David of Stewartville, Minn. and Mary LaFontaine and her husband Richard of Auburn; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. In addition he leaves seven brothers and sisters: Suzie Wanta, Dorothy Newman, Hattie Liebe, Edwin Damask, Maurice Damask, William Damask and Virginia Cain.

He was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Leo Damask; his daughter, Helen Kozicki; his grandson, Scott VanTassel; and his brother, Alois Domaszak.