SEBASTIAN — Joe Barczyk, who served on the Sebastian City Council from 1999 to 2005, has passed away at the age of 81 on Christmas Eve, after having lost his wife, Jayne, two months prior. He and his wife had retired to Sebastian in 1998 after Jayne suggested they follow a rainbow to its end.
Barczyk died Dec. 24, 2014, at Southeast Georgia Health System’s Brunswick Campus, leaving this world peacefully in his sleep with a smile on his face, according to family. Losing his beloved wife, Jayne, just two months prior was too much for his heart to bear.
Family and friends have found some solace in knowing that Joe was finally reunited with Jayne for her favorite holiday, Christmas.
Joe was born Feb. 18, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was the only child of first generation Polish Americans, Sophie and Joseph Barczyk. As a teenager the family moved to Erie, Pa., following work, where Joe started Junior High at Cathedral Prep.
Joe took advantage of his ROTC scholarship and graduated from Gannon College with a degree in Accounting, but ended up choosing a career in the US Army for the job stability and most importantly to Joe and Jayne, an opportunity to see the world. Joe was commissioned on June 5, 1955 and married Jayne Oct. 15.
Joe retired after 20 years in the Army and he began his next career in Civil Service. He spent the next 20 years employed by the Department of Transportation and then the Department of Energy. Utilizing his Military Police background Joe eventually became an Investigative Officer protecting our strategic oil reserves and guarding our nuclear infrastructure.
After retiring from Civil Service, Joe and Jayne settled in Sebastian, Fla. A beautiful waterfront town they discovered when Jayne suggested they follow a rainbow to its end.
One look at the Indian River Lagoon and they realized they found their next home. Joe couldn’t sit still for long though, within six months he decided to run for and won a position on the Sebastian City Council. He served three terms, the last as Vice Mayor.
During his terms Joe was a part of a very active Council in a fast growing community. Joe worked actively and tirelessly with his fellow Council members to redevelop the waterfront, expand business development, and build a new senior center, a new main city government building, new police station, and a Boys & Girls Club facility.
The couple moved to Kingsland in 2007 after Jayne was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer to be near state of the art medical facilities and to be closer to their daughter Susan.
In 2012, both Joe and Jayne’s health took a turn for the worse. As a result, they chose to become residents of the Senior Care Center of St. Mary’s, Ga.
Being the active person he was Joe could not relax for long. He became involved as an advocate for his fellow residents and a friend to the nurses and staff. He would always take care of people by offering a broad shoulder or a piece of chocolate to anyone passing by his room. Many times Joe’s room became the scene of an impromptu get together as people stopped in to admire all the beautiful birds that would flock to his many feeders or to enjoy a good story.
Over the years Joe became member of the American Legion, VFW, and was active a member of Rotary International, in which he served as past president of the Rotary Club of Sebastian, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow.
At the time of his death, he was an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Camden County where he had been an active member since his move to Kingsland in 2007.
Joe is survived by his daughter, Susan (Sean) Malphurs, many “adopted kids” that he grew to love at the Senior Care Center of St. Mary’s, and of course his dog, Daisy.
A funeral service for Joe will be held at “Our Lady Star of the Sea” Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, 106 Dillingham Street East, St. Mary’s, Ga.
Interment with full military honors will be held at the “Jacksonville National Cemetery” at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, it was Joe’s desire that the Senior Care Center of St. Mary’s (the former Convalescent Home) be remembered. Those wishing to make donations please mail a check to: SEGHS Foundation, PO Box 1518, Brunswick, GA 31521.
In the note/memo section of the check, please write “Sr Care Ctr-St Marys / Joe Barczyk.”
Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
