David Joseph Penczak, age 78, of Hackettstown, NJ passed away peacefully on January 24th, 2024, at Hackettstown Hospital after enduring several health issues, leaving a legacy of strength and grace.
David was born January 19th, 1946, in Elizabeth, NJ and grew up there, attending St. Patrick’s High School. He went on to earn his degree at St. Bonaventure University and served in the ROTC and United States Army. He met Nancy, his wife of 51 years, in 1972 and soon settled down in Hackettstown, NJ, and began his career at M&M Mars where he worked for over 25 years.
David was a member of Our Lady of the Mountain Church and a long-time member of the Joyce Kilmer Council of the Knights of Columbus where he participated in many council activities.
His greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren. Every weekend he could be found supporting them at soccer games and track meets. When he was younger he coached his son in baseball which inspired his son to be a coach for his children. He loved going on cruises with his wife and spent a lot of his retirement golfing with various friends. He enjoyed the outdoors and could always be found refilling the bird feeders and feeding the deer that visited him daily. He loved to share a beer, a coffee, a good book or a song.
He was a devoted, loving husband and a gentle, patient, and caring father. He is survived by his wife Nancy Penczak, and their son Daniel and his wife Tara, and grandchildren: Owen, Jillian, and Colin and their daughter Victoria and her husband Bryan, and grandchildren: Simone and Evan.
David was predeceased by his parents Sophia and Thaddeus Penczak and his brother Thaddeus Penczak.
Visitation will be held at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 on Friday, February 2nd, from 10 am-12 noon. A religious service will be held at the funeral home at 12 noon.
For those who wish, a donation can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org or The Knights of Columbus, Joyce Kilmer Council, 142 Liberty Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 in memory of David.
3 Condolences for Penczak, David
Condolences(3)
Diane Schank says
January 26, 2024 at 3:58 pmI worked with Dave at Mars for a several years, he was kind, funny & a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed. Nancy, my condolences to you and your family.
Sharon Schlomer Housel & Pat (The Villages Florida) says
January 30, 2024 at 4:30 pmDear Nancy and family, Pat & I are very sorry to read about Dave. Way back when we surely had a lot of fun times and forever memories. Thinking of you all.
Mary Ellen Lightfoot says
February 1, 2024 at 3:33 pmDear Nancy and Family, I am so very sorry to hear that Dave has gone to his rest. Dave was a kind and gentle man with a wonderful laugh. So many great memories of times spent with you and Dave as neighbors and friends. Praying that God will bless you with strength and comfort at this most difficult time.