WESTFIELD – Joe was born on January 18, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York (Canarsie) to John Zelez and Josephine Zelez (Krill.) He moved to Westfield in 1953 after his parents bought the old Elm Tourist Cabins on Russell Road. He later built the Elm Motel which exists on the site of the old cabins. He attended Westfield schools and graduated from Westfield Trade High School in 1967 as a machinist. He married Valerie Cavanaugh on October 7, 1972 and had four children: Matthew, Nicole, Nadine, and John. His siblings who passed were Julia Zelez and Jennie Pease.
Joe’s community service started when he was elected class president at the Trade School. He later joined the Rotary Club and was a member for many years. He also was a former president of the Westfield Jaycees and was a member until their demise. He also was the secretary of the Williamsburg Rotary Club and a member until 1997. So then he joined the Kiwanis Club becoming the president in 1996. His best services were raising money for the annual fireworks with the formans boots placed throughout the city.
He also loved the outdoors and was proud of camping in winter and surviving -20 degree temperatures . Loved gardening and building farm ponds on his property. He also started and ran the Elm Curie and pawnshops off and on for 25 years. He also built his first house in 1981. He later built several more houses on his property off Butternut Road in Westfield. After building his house, he learned the mason trade and became a stone mason in later life. He also loved playing hockey with the neighborhood kids on the pond he built.
He especially cherished his many trips around the world with his family. He traveled to Ukraine and Poland aboard the SS United States steamship in 1960. It took 4 ½ days to cross the Atlantic Ocean. He was also president of the Westfield Chess Club for many years.
He is survived by his children Matthew, Nicole and boyfriend Dan, Nadine and boyfriend Troy, and John and girlfriend Lourdes. Many nieces and nephews, his former wife Valerie Cavanaugh, and his granddaughter Drew Kestler. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 15th from 4-7 pm at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA. Burial will be private. Firtionadams.com
