WORCESTER____Stephen J. Rojcewicz, 95, formerly of Endicott St., died Thursday, February 12, 2009 in St. Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer St. His wife, Victoria T. (Lemanski) Rojcewicz died in 1985. He had been most recently living at the Whitney Place Senior Residence in Northboro.
He leaves three sons, Stephen J. Rojcewicz of Silver Spring, MD., married to Mary A. (Miller), Richard J. Rojcewicz of Pittsburgh, PA., married to Marcia M. (Kalinowski) and Peter P. Rojcewicz of Bellingham; married to Barbara A. (Iacovone) a brother, Theodore Rojcewicz of Millbury; a sister, Sonja Camarra of Shrewsbury; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and nephews and nieces. A brother, Joseph Roycewicz and a sister, Teresa (Rojcewicz) Dwyer predeceased him He was born in Glens Falls, N.Y., a son of Gregory and Melanie (Konopinski) Rojcewicz.
Mr. Rojcewicz was a high school language teacher many years for the City of Worcester Public Schools and taught at South High School and Doherty Memorial High School before retiring. After retiring he taught part time at St. Mary’s High School until 1986.
Mr. Rojcewicz was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving in the European theater including the Rhineland with the Artillery, 69th Division. He attended Niagara University for two years and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Clark University in 1947. He then earned his Master’s degree in Education from Clark University in 1948. Mr. Rojcewicz was a member of Our Lady of Czectochowa Church and was a founding and lifetime member of the St. Mary’s Boosters Club and was a recipient of their Diamond Pin award. He was also a member of the U.S. Army 69th Division Association, the Polish American Veteran’s of World War II, and the Sodality of Our Lady at Holy Cross College.
He moved to Worcester in 1940, where he met his future wife, Victoria at a Polish dance. He called marrying Vicki the best thing he ever did. Stephen lived in Worcester for 68 years, and always emphasized that Worcester had been very good to him. Stephen was an expert in the cultivation of raspberries, transplanting and growing raspberry canes first planted by his father in 1912. He loved to distribute his berries to his friends and family. He was a regular contributor to the Letter to the Editor pages of the Worcester Telegram and the Catholic Free Press. Stephen’s other hobbies included gardening, playing pinochle, horseshoes (once enjoying a 30% ringer average in league play), solving crossword puzzles, hosting any and all guests at his home, marching with fellow veterans in local parades and corresponding with his many friends and acquaintances.
He traveled extensively, visiting the United States, Canada, Israel, Italy (where he met Pope John Paul II), Poland twice, and Lithuania. He especially enjoyed visiting the area in rural Lithuania where his father had been born.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 17 from HENRY - DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward Street, with a concelebrated Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward Street. Burial with military honors will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday, February 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Members of the Polish American Veterans of World War II will meet at 6:00 p.m. during calling hours to conduct their ritual. There will be a sharing of memories of Stephen at 7:00 p.m. during calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stephen J. Rojcewicz Fund for Higher Education, in care of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward Street, Worcester, Ma., 01610.