Joseph Gerald Krochmalny

Joseph Gerald Krochmalny passed in peace on October 17th, 2019 at the age of 80 from complications of pancreatic cancer. Preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Mary Lee (Lazar) Krochmalny. Loving father of late Sheri McGuin (late husband Pat), Lynne Lawr (husband Kim), Brian Krochmalny (wife Becky) and Scott Krochmalny (wife Nicole). Proud grandfather of Shane (25), Austin (24), Payton (22), Robyn (20), Alexa (16), Avery (14), Jack (13) & Addison (12). Brother of late Ronald Krochmalny (late wife Marie) and late Lorraine Krochmalny and survived by his sister Denise Smoter (husband Gene). Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dear friend and companion of Kathy Ashenbrenner. Joe (or Jerry as his family called him) was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 30th, 1939 to Michael and Josephine (Plawecki) Krochmalny. He was the youngest boy of the family and grew up protecting his younger sisters and adoring his mother, as did all of her children. He was quite the industrious young man. He could never sit still, always working hard at different odd jobs such as his days as the neighborhood paperboy. Joe attended St. Hedwig Catholic School from elementary all the way through high school where he played basketball and more importantly ran the roaming back alley dice game with his schoolyard cronies. After graduating high school in 1956 at the age of 17 Joe enlisted in the United States Navy which required him to not only get his mothers signature because he was too young to join on his own but to also eat his height in bananas to gain enough weight to pass the physical. He served in the Navy for 4 years as an Airedale, most notably stationed at the Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey. While still in the service Joe married his high school sweetheart Mary Lee Lazar back home in Detroit on September 12th, 1959. For the first year or so of marriage the newlyweds lived near the base in Lakehurst. They used to fondly reminisce about those days referring to the various "pizza and beer" nights that they would have with their friends as some of the happiest times in their life. After being honorably discharged from the Navy Joe and Mary Lee moved back to Detroit to start a family and build a life together. Around this time Joe joined the Knights of Columbus, a brotherhood that would become a big part of his life forever. He took the Knights very seriously eventually becomes a 4th degree Knight and getting elected to the post of Grand Knight several times over the course of his life. His brother Knights would become some of his closest confidants and best friends. During these early years after leaving the military he also took on the task of figuring out a career path for himself. After a series of different jobs he used part of his GI Bill to put himself through college at the University of Detroit, ultimately completing his course work and earning a Bachelors degree in Finance and Accounting (and eventually an MBA years later). From there he was off and running on his 50+ year career as an accountant specializing in internal controls and audits. As those who knew him well can attest, Joe relished telling people what they were doing wrong. What a perfect fit of personality and job. He went on to work for various auto manufacturers and related companies in the Detroit area for many years and chose to settle his young and growing family in the small town of Plymouth Michigan, which is located just a short drive from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and his beloved Wolverines. Go Blue!!! In the early 70s Joe got into politics and ran for Township Supervisor of Plymouth. His slogan was "A Good Measure For Good Government". He always thought he could improve any given situation. Being involved in major decisions and the what, when, why, where and how of things was always a great passion of Joes. Whether that took the form of him serving on the board of the neighborhood HOA, the local little league or as treasurer for the schools booster club, he just loved to be knee deep in all of that kind of thing. Being involved was very important to him. And lets be honest, we all know that nobody could do it as well as he could, right? Just ask him. In 1978 Joe jumped on a corporate transfer opportunity with his employer The Budd Company to pack up and move his family out west to sunny southern California. He ended up planting roots in south Orange County, first in the city of Mission Viejo and then in Laguna Hills where Joe continued to raise his four children. When he wasnt working he was participating in every aspect of his kids lives, from coaching baseball teams to cheering on soccer games and cross country meets. There wasnt a thing he wouldnt do for his kids. Ever. And along the way he would pass on his particular brand of wisdom which usually ended in him solidifying it by saying, "…believe me." For the last 14 years Joe worked for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, a job that meant a lot to him as it combined two very important aspects of his life, his strong work ethic and his love for the Roman Catholic Church. He considered it a great honor to call the Bishop his boss for all of those years. After his wonderful wife Mary Lee passed in 2013 Joe still found time to stay active in life. He continued to work, went out to music concerts every now and again, visited with dear friends and family and stayed active in the Knights of Columbus. And of course he had his John Wayne movies and sporting events to keep him company on TV when he didnt feel like leaving the house on occasion. Joe will be fondly remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother, cousin and friend. He was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all that knew him. Services will be held on Monday, October 28th @10am at Holy Trinity Church located at 1600 Corporate Dr, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694. A reception will follow @ 12:30pm at The Elks Lodge located at 25092 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org): https://secure.pancan.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2681&mfc_pref=T&2681.donation=form1 Funeral Home: Pacific Cremation Society 22772 Centre Drive, Suite 130 Lake Forest, CA 92630