Former Police Chief Joe Sawicki, Sr. Dies at 84

The following obituary was provided by DeFreist-Grattan Funeral Home

Joseph H. Sawicki, Sr., a life-long resident of Southold died on July 6, 2013 at San Simeon Nursing Home in Greenport. He was 84 years old. 

He was born on November 8, 1928 in Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport to Leon and Cecelia (nee Pendzick) Sawicki. He attended Southold High School and then served with the Southold Town Police Department for thirty years; starting as a Police Officer, and rising through the ranks to Detective Sergeant and Chief of Department. 

In the community, he was a sixty-nine year member of the Southold Fire Department (Eagle Hook & Ladder Company) and was an Ex-chief and commissioner. He had also been a member of the Southold Town Zoning Board of Appeals. 

He is survived by his wife, Constance “Connie” Raynor who he married on September 28, 1952 at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church; his children: Joseph Sawicki, Jr. (Suffolk County Comptroller and former NYS Assemblyman), William H. Sawicki (Lieutenant-Southold Town Police Department) both of Southold and Lisa Reinking of Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Helen Krupski of Cutchogue and two grandchildren: Joseph Sawicki III and Jamie V. Sawicki. He was predeceased by siblings: Edythe Kujawski and John, Walter and Frank Sawicki. 

The family will receive friends on Monday from 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church by Father Thomas P. Murray. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s R.C. Cemetery. 

Memorial donations to Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.