Mayor Purzycki Issues Statement on the Passing of Former City Council Member Joseph S. Czerwinski (1938-2021)
January 28, 2021
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki issued the following statement today on the recent passing of former Wilmington City Council Member Joseph Czerwinski at age 82:
“Wilmington has lost a dedicated public servant who was actively involved in the Hedgeville community that he cared so deeply about and was honored to serve,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Joe was a proud Democrat who represented the 6th District on City Council faithfully and diligently. He was also very proud of his Polish heritage, as am I, and was known to family and friends as ‘the Hedgeville Historian,’ always quick with a story or memory about his beloved neighborhood. I extend condolences to his wife Marjorie, his daughters Donna McDonough and Kathleen Roach, and all other family members and friends as we mourn his loss and celebrate his wonderful life.”
Former City Council Member Joseph S. Czerwinski (1938-2021)
According to the obituary for the former Council Member, he was born in Wilmington in 1938, attended St. Hedwig Elementary School, and then graduated from Wilmington High School in 1957. He went on to serve proudly in the U.S. Army and then worked for the State of Delaware. He eventually retired as a deputy director of the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Joe was actively involved in City affairs throughout his adult life, serving two terms on City Council (1985-92) representing the 6th District. A longtime active member of St. Hedwig Parish in Wilmington, Joe was a lifelong member of the Pulaski Legion and its past president; he moderated the Pulaski Day Parade for many years, was past co-chairman of the annual Polish Festival, and served as Chairman of the Seafood Cabaret. After retiring to Millsboro and joining Mary, Mother of Peace Parish, Joe spent his days fishing, crabbing, and sitting on his porch among visiting neighbors and his grandchildren Luke, Kyle, Alexis, Erin Paige, Zach, and Erik.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Hedwig Church, where Joe was a lifelong member, at 408 South Harrison Street in Wilmington on Friday, January 29, 2021, at 11 a.m. A private burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The family suggests memorial gifts to St. Hedwig’s Parish or to Mary, Mother of Peace Parish, at 30839 Mt. Joy Road, Millsboro, DE, 19966, rather than flowers.