Joseph B. Koscinski, 91

Joseph B. Koscinski, age 91, formerly of Stone Lake, Wis. Joe passed away after a short illness on June 19 in Hudson, Wis.

Husband of 66 years to Josephine (Mleczko); father of Gerald (Jan) and Michael (Kathleen); grandfather of Joseph (Tanya), Jamie Lee (Chad) Ericson, Jeremy, Jessica, Mathieu Blackston, and Janell Binder; great-grandfather of Alexandria and Leah Koscinski and Sydney Ericson. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents, Bruno and Angeline (Baruch); brother, Frank; and grandson James.

He was born in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 2, 1921, and married Josephine Marie Mleczko at the Transfiguration Church in Chicago on June 2, 1946. During the 1930s, as a member of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the West, he worked outdoors building roads and planted many trees. During his time in the CCC, he developed his love for the outdoors. He was a machinist by trade until he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force on Oct. 21, 1942.

He was promoted to staff sergeant on May 7, 1944. He was assigned to the 385th Bomb Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force, stationed at Great Ashfield Airbase in Suffolk, England. He was assigned to a B-17G Flying Fortress heavy bomber as an airplane mechanic gunner. He participated in 13 heavy bombardment sorties over enemy-occupied continental Europe from April 20, 1944, to July 31, 1944. On July 31, 1944, he sustained gunshot wound from enemy action while on a combing mission over enemy territory. He was discharged from the Army Air Force Convalescent Hospital, Fort Logan, Colo., on Dec. 27, 1944. He was awarded several citations and medals including the Purple Heart medal.

He retired in 1983 after 31 years of employment with the U.S. Postal Service.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 30, at the Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Bruce with Fr. Chris Kemp and Deacon Doug Sorenson officiating. Burial was in the Raddison Cemetery with military burial rites provided by the Winter Veteran's Assn.

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