Jozef Dobrzanski, 81, of Leesburg, Virginia, loving husband, father, grand-father, and uncle, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2024 at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia.

"Joe" led an adventurous life. Born on June 14, 1942, in Chabowka, Poland, he married his loving wife of 58 years, Krystyna Maria Piekarczyk in 1965, had their eldest son, Robert in 1966, then set off for Troyes, France in 1967. There, Joe and Krystyna had two more children, Barbara (1967) and Dorothy (1968). He and Krystyna worked separate shifts at the same textile company so they could raise their children. In 1979, they picked up once again and moved to the United States to join some of Joe's family. Joe would jokingly say that he had to follow his destiny as foretold by a fortune teller he once saw who told him he would move overseas to some faraway land!

Starting over in the U.S., Joe worked many jobs, mostly hard, rigorous jobs requiring courage and physical strength. In New Jersey, he painted water towers, manufactured aluminum products under high temperatures, assembled and calibrated precision water pumps, and prepared coldcuts for Polish delis. His final job in NJ was in commercial roofing, where he would tackle roof rip-offs and spread hot tar in blazing summer heat. He would sometimes come home from a "hot" job barely able to see due to the tar and burns on his face. He did roofing jobs throughout the state and also on some NYC skyscrapers. Yes, he was the man they would send down the steel beams carrying heavy materials or working over the edge of the roof because he was one of the only workers brave enough!

In 1993, he moved to Chicago and worked on tractor-trailer repairs. Continuing his adventurous streak, he and Krystyna finally moved to Virginia in 1998, to be near their grandkids, Katrina and Bobby. Here, Joe would continue his commercial roofing experience, even repairing the Pentagon roof after the Sept 11th attacks.Before retiring, Joe worked maintenance at Our Lady of Hope in Sterling, VA, where he often joked were he to pass on the job, he would conveniently go straight to heaven, feet first!

Joe was an avid gardener, being very particular about the "right way" to prepare and plant, and taking no shortcuts, and was the envy of the neighborhood for his beautiful tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. He loved to dance, sing, and listen to his childhood mountaineers music, "Goralskie Hity". He was an avid canasta, poker and chess player, loved to play soccer, table tennis, and volleyball in his early adulthood. Until the age of 79, Joe walked 20 to 30 thousand steps a day, literally 10 to 15 miles daily, motivated by his step counter numbers, most often on the W&OD Trail!

Joe had a strong sense of justice and loved humanity. Everyone he met was an immediate friend and part of the family. He never met a stranger! He loved entertaining and to be

entertained. He was known for his powerful grip that simply reflected his love of humanity and unmitigated enthusiasm to greet friends or family.

He led a true, Christian life, keeping Jesus Christ in his daily prayers and as member of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Irvington NJ, and then St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Leesburg, VA.

Joe is survived by his wife, Krystyna, his son, Robert (wife Caterine and stepson Daniel), daughter Barbara (husband Bob and their adult children, Katrina and Bobby), and daughter Dorothy. Joe is also survived by his brothers Stanley and Viktor, and his sister Zofia, and all their children.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 1st starting with mass at 10 am at the Salvatorian Monastery Chapel at 23 Crestmont Rd, in Verona, NJ, led by long time family priest Father Jordan, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven cemetery in East Hanover, NJ. Joe's celebration of life will continue at Ravello Banquets, just down the street from Gate of Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

The Alzheimer's Association – Jozef Dobrzanski Tribute Site

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. - Alzheimer's association

Hilarity for Charity

Hilarity for Charity (HFC) is a national non-profit on a mission to care for families impacted by Alzheimer's disease, activate the next generation of Alzheimer's advocates, and be a leader in brain health research and education. - Hilarity for Charity