Mr. Joseph F. Mizia

Mr. Joseph Frank Mizia, 83, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2012 at Providence Care Center, Lenox. Joe was born in Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania, on January 10, 1929, the eldest of two children of Joseph and Josephine Bwyskal Mizia, and he was the first in his family to attend college. Joe attended Wilkes College before transferring to the University of Pittsburg to complete his B.S. degree in Chemistry. He continued with graduate studies and earned his Master’s degree in Chemistry at Penn State University. Joe began his career at GE Chemical which later became GE Plastics where he worked to develop new applications for plastic materials. He was an essential member of the LEXAN® Technical Marketing team and led the development of a wide variety of LEXAN applications including automotive headlights, tail lights, and optical lenses. For many years Joe led the Lexan Technical Marketing department and took great pride in the professional development of many new employees. As a manager he was an exceptional coach and several of GE’s current business leaders began their careers on Joe’s team, benefitting from his quick humor and kindly given advice. Joe was also a man of deep faith and had a lifelong dedication to his church, including serving for many years as a lector at Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield. Joe traveled the country and the world as a part of his career with GE, but he most relished being at home with his wife and family. Joe enjoyed gardening with his wife, household improvement projects with his children, and an occasional round of golf with his colleagues. However, Joe’s true source of pride was his family, both immediate and extended, and passing along his Polish heritage and traditions to all. Education was very important to Joe and with his love and support each of his children graduated from college. However he also found time for the fun things in life and “Papa” was a fixture on the sidelines at his grandchildren’s sporting events and in their lives, cheering their successes and supporting them through their challenges. Mr. Mizia is survived by his wife of 58 years, Louise Phyllis Smetana Mizia; two sons, Joseph Jefferey Mizia and his wife Deborah, John Mizia and his wife Renée, and a daughter Jacqueline Mizia Smith and her husband Bruce; grandfather to Kaitlin, Alyse, Sarah, J. Colin and Matthew Mizia, and Braeden and Marie Smith. He also leaves his sister, Theresa Mayewski. Joseph Frank Mizia will be missed more than words can say, and those about whom he cared were fortunate to have experienced his unconditional love. Joe was a man of tremendous and quiet grace who touched the lives of many people in ways that were meaningful and memorable. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mr. Joseph F. Mizia will be Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 9 a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA, with a liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by James K. Joyce, pastor. Entombment will follow in St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday, August 1, 2012 from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church or Hospice Care in the Berkshires, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home in his memory. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ON THIS WEBSITE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. Joseph F. Mizia

January 10, 1929 - July 30, 2012