Mr. Joseph H. Heck

Mr. Joseph H. Heck went home to the Lord when he passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017. At the time of his passing he was in the hearts of those he loved. Born in Tioga, Pennsylvania, Joseph was the son of the late Harold Lee and Emma Louise (Doolittle) Heck. As a young child, he came to Utica and graduated from Utica Free Academy and attended MVCC. On July 13, 1980 he married the former Maria Elena Pietrogiacomo with whom he shared 36 plus years in a beautiful, tender, loving relationship. They were well-matched and a true complement to one another. Maria Elena will always keep Joe in her heart. Joe began his employment as a young man at the New York Central Railroad Amtrack Division where he worked for many years. His ability to advocate for employees earned him a promotion as Assistant General Chairman for the Conrail Division. During his appointment, he covered the North Eastern portion of the United States, beginning in Syracuse and extending into Canada. He masterfully negotiated and settled claims for employees. He retired in the late 1990’s after a memorable and wonderful career. Joe had charisma and connected to people easily. He was generous and outgoing, and he respected those who were his senior. He honored his mother and his mother-in-law and held them in high regard. He never said no when someone needed a hand, and he had great memories of the many wonderful people in his life. Joe was a natural athlete excelling in baseball. He was a starting pitcher in high school and in the MUNY Ball League most notably. He also played on the Walter Skiba Post team where he gained notoriety as a curveball pitcher. During his heyday, Joe was scouted by the Detroit Tigers, but decided to stay in Utica to be with family. He was also an avid angler who loved to reel in trout and tackle deep-sea fishing. He drew on his artistic aptitude when he created a Japanese garden in his back yard, and adorned his home with Christmas decorations and lights so meticulously that they were memorable to many people in the area. His artistry was also seen in his sketching, woodworking, and painting that covered all spectrum of artwork. The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute was a precious place for Joe and his wife to spend their time. He was also an antique automobile aficionado attending car shows. He preserved a 1979 Ford truck, painting it orange and customizing it with great detail, and was also a corvette buff. Joe felt that this life God granted him was blessed with beauty and bounty, from sunshine and warm oceans that he loved so much, to good food, good times, dining out, and dancing with his loving wife. Each July in the past, Joe and Maria Elena celebrated their anniversary in Aruba, with friendships that had lasted for decades. They also spent different times in Florida each year because they both enjoyed the sunshine and the serenity of the ocean. Joe and his wife cherished their time in prayer at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church and Historic Old St. John’s Church. Joe is survived by his wife, Maria Elena; his sisters and a brother-in-law, Marilyn Capozzella, his twin sister Joan Franz, and Delores and Anthony Moschetti, of Florida. He also leaves his nieces, nephews, especially Jeffrey Franz with whom he had a close relationship; his great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and his beloved sister-in-law, Sylvia “Silky” Amoroso. Joe was held in great admiration by his friends, Phil and Patty George, Frank and Sylvia Bonacci and their sons Angelo and Andy (his godson) and his wife Mary. He also was the godfather of Jan Mykles McConnell and Michael Ruckel. He appreciated his dear friend, Ray Niznik, who offered continual prayers for Joe until the very end. He was predeceased by his sister, Carol McEvoy; his step-brothers, Charles, Bryce, and William Caywood; his brothers-in-law, Andy Capozzella, and Donald Franz, Sr.; and his cherished mother-in-law, Teresa Pietrogiacomo. The family is grateful to Dr. Jerry Sloan, Dr. Kenneth Visalli, the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center 3rd Floor staff, and the personnel of the Presbyterian Rehabilitation Center all of whom offered inspiration and great care during Joe’s health concerns. A special thanks to Joe’s cousins, Anthony and Carmy Annuich, and his friendly neighbors, especially Kurt White, for their support and kind deeds. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-6 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Joseph's funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 at Historic Old St. John’s Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Fr. Arthur Krawczenko. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in lieu of flowers may consider a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org or the Stevens-Swan Humane Society, for Joe’s love of animals at https://stevens-swan.org; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Entombment will take place in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum at the convenience of the family. “Goodbye my darling husband, you are my heart and soul. I will love you forever. As you have always told me, you will always be with me, until we meet again.”