FALL RIVER – Joseph Cichon, 93, of Fall River, passed away on January 19, 2016 at St. Anne’s Hospital. He was the devoted son of the late Andrew and Francesca (Piszcz) Cichon and was married for 60 years to the late and beautiful Amelia (Augustine) Cichon.
Joseph is survived by his three children, Joseph Cichon, Jr., Andrea Bartley and Jane Antonio and his son-in-law, Kevin Antonio. Joseph was the proud grandfather of Deanna Cichon Zimkus with her husband Jason, Alyssa Bellino with her husband Anthony, and Juliet Antonio. Joseph is also survived by his brother Henry Cichon and brother-in-law Henry Augustine.
Joseph was graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and fought in the Pacific during World War II. After returning from military service, Joseph began a 30-year career as a Fall River fire fighter.
Joseph was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church, where he was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the St. Stan’s Seniors. He worked at the parish credit union, Bingo games and festivals. Joseph was honored to serve as a Eucharistic Minister in his church and at St. Anne’s Hospital.
Though Joseph had many close friends, his best friend was his father. From him Joseph learned to cherish Polish family traditions, especially the Christmas Eve supper known as “wigilia.”
Joseph was a lifelong Boston sports fan, a vegetable gardener and a builder who dedicated himself to faith and family. He was strong, impeccable and unfailingly kind. Polkas made his blue eyes twinkle. He was an exceptionally good man who was treasured by many people, and his life showed the reliability of God’s love.
The Cichon family thanks the staff of St. Anne’s Hospital for their compassionate support, especially the employees of the hospital’s Pastoral Care Office and the Sacred Heart, St. Mary and St. Dominic units. The family is also grateful to the emergency medical technicians of the Fall River Fire Department who helped Joseph in the last months of his life.
Visitation will begin at 7:30 am on Monday at Boyko Memorial Funeral Home, 709 Broadway, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10 AM at St. Stanislaus Church, 36 Rockland Street, Fall River. Private interment will take place at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Marie Poussepin Outreach Ministry at St. Anne’s Hospital, 795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721 or to the St. Stanislaus School Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 300, Fall River, MA 02724.