Joseph S. “Yoto” Wnek

Ware - Joseph S. "Yoto" Wnek, 93, of Ware died on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.

He leaves his son, Joseph J. Wnek of Springfield, four daughters, Judy Pariseau and her husband Roger of Ware, Diane Frazier and her husband Bob of Springfield, Susan Witt and her husband Danny of Ware, and Jean Tapke of Canadaigua, NY; his brother, Thadeus Wnek of Ware, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.  He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Mildred M. (Messier) Wnek in 2005, his son Frank in 2002, as well as 7 other siblings, Sally Dodge, Julia Richard, Witla Szczepanek, Frank, Frederick, Edward, and Stephen Wnek.  He was born in Ware, son of the late Frank and Aniela (Kardas) Wnek, and was a life-long resident of the town.

Yoto worked as a Custodian for the Town of Ware, and also for the Ware Water Department for several years before retiring. 

Mr. Wnek was a United States Navy veteran of WWII, where is served on the Gleaves class-destroyer USS Carmick. 

Yoto was well known around town.  He could often be seen in front of his house, saying hello or waving to people passing by.  He umpired adult men’s softball games, enjoyed following all of the Boston sports teams, and had a special love for baseball.  He also enjoyed growing and working in the vegetable garden that he grew annually, and loved to eat, especially sweets. 

He was a long-time member of All Saint's Church, V.F.W. Post 2577 in Ware, and the former Ware Athletic Club. 

A Funeral Mass for Joseph will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 10:30AM in All Saint’s Church in Ware.  Burial will be in New St. William Cemetery following the mass.  Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 8, 2019 from 4 to 6PM in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main Street in West Brookfield.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made towards the Ware High School Athletics Booster Club,  P.O. Box 240, Ware, MA 01082 (make the check out to the Town of Ware, and put Athletics on the memo line) or to All Saint’s Church, 17 North St., Ware, MA 01082.

An online guest book is available at varnumfuneralhome.com.

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