Joseph Michael Starczewski
Joseph Michael Starczewski, aka Joseph Michael Starr, was born March 19th, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, on St. Joseph’s Day, the same day as the Swallows come back to the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. Joe was the last child born to Michael Joseph Starczewski and Anna Melloch Starczewski.
Joe attended Saint Salomea Catholic Grammar School founded by six local businessmen that included his Grandfather, Frank Starczewski. He was a Boy Scout. As a youth his passion was pencil art which he would hide on his closet wall but still found time to share his talent with his nephew and Godson, Kenneth Obrakta. He attended Fenger Academy High School, in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago where he was a star athlete for their football team. As a U.S. Marine he received a Medical Discharge because of a hearing loss in one ear. Joe also attended Northwestern University Chicago campus. His education included a multitude of continuing education classes throughout his career.
Joe started his career owning a market and butcher shop and then moved into the Auto Industry working at American Motors (Rambler) (George Romney family) and Z Frank in Chicago, Illinois to owning his own car dealership, Starr Buick Pontiac in Cathedral City, California. He was in Sales and Marketing for most of his career and helped start-ups get off the ground and become vital businesses. In his later years, he enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, cooking his famous vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup and spaghetti family favorites, not to mention the occasional standing prime rib for the holidays.
Joseph married Frances Helena Johnson, October 15, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. and were
blessed with two children, Karen Ann Starr Hornbarger (David, deceased), Menifee, CA and Joseph Mark Starr. Grandchildren include Beth McCreary (Matt) Canyon Lake, CA and great granddaughter, River Rose; Jennifer Starr, Orange County, CA and 3 great grandchildren; and Christopher Starr, Las Vegas, NV.
Joseph married Roseann Smith Adams, July 17, 1981 and were blessed to have one another for over 40 years. Joe gained another daughter and son, through marriage, Valerie Adams Parker (Gary), Fallbrook, CA and son John Adams, Mt. Washington, KY. Grandchildren include Carrie Hacker (David) San Clemente, CA and great grandchildren Dalton, Riley, Sebastien and Anais, Nicholas Schoch (Sarah) San Diego, CA and great grandchildren Jenna, Brody and Ronin, Jamie Hawkins, Lexington, KY with 3 great grandchildren, John M Adams, Lake Havasu, AZ, Joan Adams, Flagstaff, AZ and Cody Parker, Fallbrook, CA.
Preceding him in death, parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Starczewski, his brothers,
Phillip Starr, Theodore Starr, Francis Starczewski; sisters, Lucille Starczewski
Obrakta and Harriet Starczewski.
Also family, (Brother Phillip) Daughter, Dori LeVanti, Son’s Robert and Russel.
(Brother Ted) Daughter, Mary Ann Schirtzinger, Sons, James, Allen and David. (Sister
Lucille) Son Kenneth Obrakta, Daughter Denise Marie Barry, Goddaughter, Sons,
Kevin Kenneth, Michael Robert and Matthew K. Joe kept in touch with family via
Facebook to include the Cerkleski Family.
Joe was the Shining Star in his family. A memorial will be upcoming in September.
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Miss you Dad. Miss when Joey and I were smaller like ages 5 and 8!! I remember a close family unit. Saturday nights were fun with Saturday Night at the Movies — ice cream,chips and Pepsi! You and Mom kept us a unit for a long while however after 25 years u and mom were over. I don’t approve how u left but I forgave you. I think mom did too during the early 2000’s. Awesome huh!? I have a hard time staying in touch with people. Maybe because we moved so much. I love your family no matter how extended. I am glad that in the end you and mom found happiness the rest of your days! I still have a hard time staying in touch with your beloved Rosann and my sister, Valerie but we mutually know that we can pick up where we left off and still mutally love you so much! RIP.