Joseph F. Jankowski

Joseph F. Jankowski, Jr., 89, of Somerset, passed into eternal rest Monday, October 3, 2023 at Catholic Memorial Home.  He was the husband of Rita (Harrison) Jankowski. They shared 66 wonderful years of marriage.

Joe was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of the late Adelaide Marie (Betka) Jankowski and Joseph Jankowski, Sr.  He was the stepson of the late Charlotte (Crene) Jankowski, who eventually became the wife of Joseph Sr. and helped raise Joe and his siblings.  Adelaide, his mother, passed away when Joe was only three years old.

Joe was a US Navy veteran of the Korean War. After serving in the Navy he graduated from Bryant College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Shortly after graduating he was employed by O’Day Boats as an Accountant and spent most of his working years at O’Day.  After O’Day he worked several years aboard the decommissioned Battleship Massachusetts as the Business Manager for the Battleship Cove Memorial and Museum until his retirement in 2001. 

Joe loved spending time with his grandchildren, enjoying every episode of every version of the Star Trek series over and over, playing cards and scrabble, telling corny dad jokes to whoever would listen to him, traveling with his wife Rita, and treasuring the sunsets at the riverside of Heritage Park with Rita every chance they got.  His other passion besides his family and friends was chocolate ice cream.

Besides his wife, Joe leaves three sons, Paul Jankowski (partner Norris Brown); Brian Jankowski (wife Kimberly) and their children, Logan, Kaitlyn and Athena Jankowski; and Steven Jankowski (wife Kendra) and their daughters Alexis and Madison Jankowski; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was the last surviving brother of his late six siblings: two sisters, Monica Masci and Josephine Furguson, and four brothers, Ray, Leo, Tom and Paul Jankowski.  He was lovingly called Jo-Jo by his siblings.  

Visitation will be held Monday, October 9, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 S.Main St. Fall River. 

His funeral will be held Tuesday, October 10 at 8:45 AM from the funeral home, with a Funeral Mass at Saint Louis de France Church, 56 Buffinton St, Swansea, at 10:00 AM.

Burial will follow the funeral at Notre Dame Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

Veterans Association of Bristol County, https://thevabc.org/ or mail to 755 Pine St. Fall River, MA 02720; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105 or online at StJude.org

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