Joseph Francis Yatczyn, Jr. passed into eternal life on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Care One at Hanover, Whippany, after a short illness. He was born in New Brunswick, the only child of Joseph F. Yatczyn, Sr. and Mary Pohira Yatczyn, both departed. He was raised in Oak Tree, Edison and South Plainfield, NJ graduating from Edison High School. He was a proud recipient of a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from his beloved alma mater, Villanova University, Villanova, PA. He went on to earn his MBA from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ.
While Joe started his career as a chemical engineer with Diamond Alkali, he soon discovered his aptitude for sales and continued in that field for 47 years in their Nopco Chemical Division, which was spun off to Occidental Petroleum, Henkel, Cognis and ultimately, BASF. Joe’s winning personality, attention to detail, expert knowledge and customer care enabled him to be named Salesman of the Year multiple times.
Joe and his wife Pat lived in Indianapolis, IN; Lake Hiawatha and Rockaway Township, NJ before settling in Succasunna 38 years ago to raise their family. He was a member of St. Therese R. C. Church and of the SACCI Chemical Organization. He was an enthusiastic world traveler and also an avid golfer and chess player. Since childhood he was a loyal fan of the Yankees as well as the Giants. For all who knew him, he was “the nicest guy” with a ready smile and helping hand.
Besides his wife, Patricia C. Yatczyn, of 46 years, Joe is survived by their two children: son Jeffrey Yatczyn of Wayne, PA and daughter Leslie Orzack and her husband Robert of Succasunna, and two grandchildren: Liam and Reese Orzack; uncles John Pohira of Winter Park, FL; Charles Yatczyn of Orlando, FL; aunts Margaret Lewkow of Littleton CO; Helen Stoll of Teaneck, NJ and multiple cousins.
Family and friends may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Friday, August 21st from 2 – 4 PM & 7 – 9 PM. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Saturday, August 22nd at 11:00 AM at St. Therese R C Church, 151 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to “Villanova University.” Please include on the memo line that the donation is for the “Robert E. White Endowed Scholarship in memory of Joseph Yatczyn ’67.” Address: Villanova University, Office of University Advancement, ATTN: Janet Duffy, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085.