Agwam – Mrs. Josephine R. (Sparko) Gusek, formerly of Westfield and Easthampton, passed away quietly with family present in Agawam on Monday, June 5th. She was born in Easthampton, daughter of Stanley and Mary Sparko. She was married to Frank C. Gusek who preceded her in death in 1953. She is survived by two sons, Robert of Agawam and James of Lakewood, CO; three grandchildren, Christina Gusek, Michael Gusek, and David Gusek; and two great grandchildren, Jonah and Judah. She was a miracle baby; while carrying her, her mother fell gravely ill with the Spanish influenza during the 1918-1919 epidemic.The doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy but her mother refused. She had five brothers, Theophile who died as an infant, John, Walter, Henry, and Ted and four sisters, Stacia, Julie, Albina (Mary), and Jennie. Of her nine siblings, Albina/Mary Cronin and Jennie Rup survive her. She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews and her longtime caregiver, Ms. Pat Mesick. She grew up on the Sparko Farm on East Street in Easthampton and assisted her brother John with the farm’s bookkeeping. She was the last surviving member of the Mt. Tom Peasants’ Club which she founded;she was repeatedly elected its president while the club was active in the 1930s. She had an avid passion for bicycling as a young girl; she and a friend once cycled from Easthampton to Seymour, CT in a single day. Her musical talents included playing the harmonica and she sang with the Polly Murphy Singers in the 1980s. She was a member of the Holy Trinity School PTA in Westfield for many years. With the passing of her husband at an early age, she dedicated herself to raising two sons as a single mom. One of her favorite activities was taking day trips with her sons to fun destinations in Western Mass. and surrounding states; this practice was later continued with her three grandchildren. Before and after her retirement from the Ames department store in Westfield, she traveled extensively, mostly with her sister Jennie. Everyone who knew her enjoyed listening to her stories of growing up on the family farm,almost as much she enjoyed telling them.Her favorite holiday was Valentine’s Day; she loved everyone. She touched and brightened many lives and will be missed. The funeral will be held on Saturday June 10 at 9 am from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 am in Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday at the funeral home from 4-7 pm. Donations may be made Holy Trinity Church 335 Elm Street Westfield, MA or the Amelia Park Children’s Museum, 29 South Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Firtionadams.com
