Joe A. Czarnik, free-spirited adventurer
Joseph Czarnik, 78, of Milton, died at home surrounded by his loving family Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
Joe was born March 11, 1945, in Austria, as WWII ended. His parents were refugees who moved across Europe, eventually making their home in converted army barracks in Leeds, England. They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary. Upon arriving in America, they settled in Westchester, N.Y., and eventually moved to Byram, Conn. Joe was a hard worker and held a variety of jobs in his youth. He would often share stories of being a caddie in Purchase, N.Y., where he would carry golf bags, repair golf carts, and valet cars, and hitchhike for a ride home. He graduated from Greenwich High School and Westchester Business Institute, attended Norwalk Community College, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Joe met his wife of 38 years while sailing with his dear friend, Joe Hliva, on Long Island Sound. After marrying, the couple resided in Stamford, Conn., moving to New Fairfield, Conn., when their son, Adam, was born. They lived happily there for 32 years. Joe worked with computers at IBM and as a creative director at Office Magazine in Stamford. Easing into retirement, Joe worked at a frame shop in Danbury, Conn. His creative nature and kindness were assets in helping people memorialize their art and photographs. Joe and Diane moved to Milton in 2019 to live a retired beach life full of fun adventures and culinary experiences.
Joe had a love for the arts, from being an usher at Candlewood Playhouse to being an artist. Music also played a big part in his life and ranged from the Everly Brothers to Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. His humor paired with his unique facts always made for interesting conversation. He expressed fond memories of living in Woodstock, N.Y., making lamps and embracing the free times of the ‘70s. He later would go on adventures with his son exploring old buildings or locations off the beaten trail. Joe has always channeled that carefree nature and peace throughout his life, helping and impacting people through his creativity and kindness.
Joe is survived by his wife, Diane Czarnik (Makowski); son, Adam Czarnik and his wife Savanah Czarnik (Simmons) of Danbury Conn.; sister, Mary Egnor (Czarnik) of Wilmington, N.C.; nephew, Shawn Egnor of Syracuse, N.Y.; niece, Susan Eddy (Egnor) and her husband David Eddy of Wilmington, N.C.; niece, Katie Canady (Egnor) and her husband William Canady of Wallace, N.C.; brother-in-law, Mark Makowski of Groton, Conn.; niece, Jessica Makowski; along with relatives in Poland and Belgium. He is preceded in death by his parents, Katherine Czarnik (Kruczek) and Walter Czarnik; and his brother-in-law, Walter Egnor.
There will be a service held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, 307 Federal St., Milton. There will be a celebration of life in Connecticut in 2024.
In lieu of flowers, make a contribution to a favorite charity.
