Joseph J. Kacian

Joseph J. “Joe” Kacian, 94, of Gardner, died peacefully Thursday, August 22, 2019 in Heywood Hospital of Gardner.

Joe was born in Gardner on October 2, 1924, the son of the late Joseph and Antoinette (Milewska) Kacian. He graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1942; and served in the United States Army Air Force during WWII. Joe was owner/operator of Joe’s Radio and TV of Gardner for many years, retiring in 1989. Throughout the years, Joe considered his tv repairs for the elderly and homebound as a public service.           

Joe’s strong faith was a huge aspect of his life. He was a member of Holy Spirit Church of Gardner; and he was a member of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Gardner and its’ church choir. He was also a member of the Gardner Skin Diver’s Club, Inc. He enjoyed spending time swimming, playing cards-especially cribbage, working in the yard, and dancing-especially the Polka. He loved meeting his buddies for coffee at Gabby’s Place, and he treasured time with his family. Joe will be missed by the Lottery Commission. He will also be greatly missed by his family and by all who knew and loved him.

He leaves his wife of 71 years, Stella V. (Doucette) Kacian of Gardner; sons, Dennis Kacian of Salmon, Idaho, Steven Kacian and his wife Theresa of Gardner, Joseph “Jack” Kacian and his wife Cynthia of Royalston, and David Kacian of Gardner; daughter, Janet Peterson and her husband Arthur of Ashburnham; brother, Chester Kacian of GA; nine grandchildren, Brent Kacian, Christy Gnat, Valerie McCoy, Natalie Kacian, Hannah Kacian, Kourtney Kacian, Shelby Diaek, Meredith Nett and Carlen Goguen; great-grandchildren, Bianca Kacian, Marina Sullivan, Nolan McCoy, Cillian McCoy, Reese Shumsky and Ryder Diaek; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, Wacy Kacian who died in WWII, John Kacian and Walter Kacian; and sisters, Antoinette Brideau, Francis Girouard, Nellie Gilhooly, Ann Garick and Regina Chabon.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 29th at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell Street, Gardner. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, West Street, Gardner.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 (donations @michaeljfox.org). Please reference in memory of Joseph J. Kacian.