July 16, 1941 - September 2, 2025
Joseph Edward Nawrocki
“Rocki”
Age 84, formerly of Richfield. US Navy Veteran. Joe worked 30+ years at Control Data Corp. and was an active member of St. Peters Catholic Church, Richfield. Preceded in death by wife, Carole Nawrocki (née, Vollrath); parents, Stanley and Helen Nawrocki; siblings, Dorothy Orr, Jerome “Jerry” Nawrocki, Jacob “Jack” Nawrocki and Robert “Bob” Nawrocki. Survived by children, Michele (David) Melin, Michael Nawrocki, Mary Nawrocki and Brian (Jessica) Nawrocki; 7 grandchildren, Benjamin, Jonathan (Maria), Zachary (Hannah), Rebecca, Melissa, Miles and Charlie; 1 great-grandson, Mason.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
11:00AM
Visitation 1 hour prior
St. Peter's Catholic Church
6730 Nicollet Avenue South
Richfield, MN 55423
Interment
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
1:30PM
Resurrection Cemetery
2101 Lexington Avenue South
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
From the first time I met him, until I sat with him as he took his final breaths, my father-in-law has been a pillar in my life. He accepted me into his family, trusting me with the care of his daughter and grandson. He lived a life of faith. He helped teach me many things as we spent time together through the years flipping houses, backyard and driveway fires, enjoying Elko and NASCAR races, home-improvement projects, family events, ancestry research and more. In later years, I was awed by the care and compassion he showed for Carole as she traveled her journey through Dementia. And finally, in the end, the dignified manor in which he traveled his own cancer journey. My father-in-law never wavered. He was stoic, humble, patient, and kind. He was proud of his Naval service, and his Polish heritage. He was a true example of what a man, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather is supposed to be. I will miss him dearly, but I am also comforted in knowing that his legacy lives on in his children (and my wonderful wife), his grandchildren, and now his great-grandchildren, and of course, in me. I also find comfort in knowing that Joe and Carole are reunited in our heavenly father’s arms, and are watching over us from a new vantage point. Thank you for everything Joe. May you rest in your well deserved and eternal peace…
HELLO , DAVID & CHERYL , we were JOE’S neighbors at BRENTWOOD TERRACE IN JORDAN , an CHURCH GOERS , AT OUR LADY OF THE PRAIRIE IN BELLE PLAINE , an previously AT SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN JORDAN , WAS always amazed of how fast a driver JOE was REALLY he would already , have his CHEVY in his parking space , an we were just getting ours parked , THEN JOE AN HIS CANE , would went up the stairway ,an be going to his door , as we took the elevator ! IT WAS only eariler in the year that JOE HAD TO TAKE THE ELEVATOR ALSO , that we noticed the CHANGE , HIS APT IS STILL UN RENTED even now OCT 2025 !
It was an honor to know Joe and his family as his son Brian became a part of our lives. He would visit Brian and Jess and the boys and would help with projects that took his skills in fixing and creating things. He will be missed.