Joe Malec

Joseph Francis Malec was born December 31, 1947, in Amsterdam, New York to parents Frank William and Helen Theresa (Knapik) Malec. After battling a long illness, he went to his heavenly home peacefully, surrounded by his beloved family on December 26, 2023.

He was a man of impeccable character and lived by high morals - always treating everyone with kindness and respect. Joe was very loyal to his Polish heritage and culture, loving everything Polish-related; Polka music and his precious, beloved Mom's pierogi were definitely among his favorites. He was also a drummer for a Polka band during his teen years. If anyone was proud to be Polish, it was Joe! He was also a devoted Christian and absolutely loved his beautiful Polish hometown church, St. Stanislaus where he was baptized, had his first communion, confirmation, and served as an altar boy until he left for college. He continued to attend St. Mary's all the way through high school, and then attended and graduated from Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania with a Business degree in 1968. Joe was an avid athlete and played basketball throughout high school and college. His inner strength and endurance were always evident and played a key role in his fight against Pulmonary Fibrosis.

However, after a minor injury from the sport before his junior year, he ended up in the hospital under the care of a beautiful nurse named Alice. They quickly fell in love and were married at St. Stanislaus on April 4, 1970. Together they moved to Cleveland, Ohio for his first job and within the first 3 years, his 2 daughters Kathy and Lori were born. They resided in their first home in Bay Village Ohio until 1980 and then moved to Plano, Texas where they have lived ever since.

Over his 44-year professional career as a marketing and advertising executive, he worked for many major corporations - Glidden Paint, Forest City, Burger King, Gray Advertising, Grandy's, KFC, Church's Chicken, Blockbuster Video, J. Walter Thompson Advertising, Golden Chick, Dominos, Sonic, and Pearl Vision. He absolutely loved traveling for work and became close to everyone he met while doing so. He would come home bragging that he had seen every part of the country - from big cities to little towns in every state. Joe had a one-of-a-kind sense of humor. If you were a witness to it, you will remember! He enjoyed "reeling you in" with a joke and loved watching you realize he was just kidding even more. He liked joking so much he even began a fun tradition when his grandchildren were young. After cooking every Sunday night dinner, which he loved to do, he asked for everyone to bring a joke. Everyone had to recite theirs before they could start eating and that made for a lot of fun, laughter, and priceless memories! His favorite silly joke was "Why did the mushroom hangout at the bar?" His answer: "Because he was a fungi."

Joe also loved watching sports every chance he could get. He followed the Duke Blue Devils basketball team and spent many wedding anniversaries watching March Madness. He was an avid Cleveland Browns & Indians fan - never giving up even through many bad seasons. He wore a Browns T-shirt that read "Please God - just win one before I die." Ironically, before he passed away, he was overjoyed to find out the Browns had actually made the playoffs once more. He's definitely rooting for them from Heaven and maybe that's what it will take for them to win the Super Bowl this year!

Joe certainly knew how to be a friend to many. Known affectionately as 'Moose,' a nickname passed down from his father, Joe embodied strength, resilience, and a gentle spirit that touched the lives of all who knew him. He still had ongoing close relationships with high school friends, college friends, and work colleagues; many of which supported him through his illness. His favorite hobby was collecting toy trucks and he enjoyed going to every flea market he saw. Joe also loved going to the lake and the ocean, and he and Alice cherished every cruise they ever went on. Together, they were able to see a lot of the world that way!

Unfortunately, right after he retired in 2017, Joe was diagnosed with terminal Pulmonary Fibrosis. He remained an active member of the PF Warriors support group and it was an integral part of helping it grow to where it is now, an international support group for others with his condition around the world. They were a priceless gift of support throughout his journey.

He received the incredible gift of a lung transplant at UT Southwestern in May of 2021 but had multiple complications resulting in spending over a year in the transplant unit. The medical team there was EXCELLENT and many of them became like family to Joe and Alice. Joe and his family will be forever grateful to the staff of IO BLUE. Despite impeccable care, he continued to decline and just wished to be home. After careful consideration, his wife and his loving family brought him home on September 23, 2022! Joe spent time with his friends and family, receiving endless in-person visits and phone calls from across the country. At home, he was also able to spend time with his beloved German Shepard, Daisy. They listened to his favorite music, watched sports, and above all, Joe made it through his favorite holiday - Christmas! Words can't describe how much he will be missed, and we thank the Lord for who he was and for fulfilling his final wish. Heaven will be a better place with him in it.

Joe was a true gift to all who knew him in his life and is survived by his loving wife Alice Faye Malec of 53 years; daughters Kathryn Lydia Lenoir and her husband Billy and Lori Ann Moore; grandchildren Ashley Elizabeth Lenoir, Kaitlin Nicole Hardin and her husband Travis, Scott Joseph, Allyson Ann and Ryan Michael Malec Moore; sister Marcia Ann Kryzak and her husband Joe; nephew Daniel Joseph Kryzak and his wife Jennifer; and great nephews Jacob and Parker Kryzak. He was preceded in death by his parents, his godmother Ann Margaret Knapik, and his godfather John Malec. Joe's family meant more to him than anything!

The family will receive friends Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. led by Deacon Norm Smith at Allen Family Funeral Options.

There will be a mass held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas with The Rev. Bruce Bradley officiating.  If you wish to join the mass via webcast, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/e8B_hEXNQmA?feature=share

There will be a reception to follow immediately following the mass.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the PF Warrior account at the Dallas Foundation. This is for the PF (Pulmonary Fibrosis) Warriors Support group that Joe helped organize in 2017. https://dallasfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2047