Joe Sidorski celebrated his 101st birthday on Feb. 10, 2023, with a small group of longtime, loving friends. One of five children, Joe was born on Feb. 10, 1922, on the Bunker Creek family farm in Adna, to Polish immigrant parents, Dominic and Luciya.
As a young man, he enjoyed the farming life: growing crops, milking cows, constructing new barns, planting trees and just being an active member in the community. He was a graduate of Adna High School, where he was president of the FFA during his senior year and played on the basketball team.
Although Joe never married, he did find the love of his life, Marie Seip. Together they enjoyed traveling and dining on many sight-seeing trips throughout Washington. After her death, he stayed in her family home for many more years until the time of his own death on April 18, 2023. He was very proud of the beautiful green grass and blooming flowers that surrounded this home. He always insisted on doing all the yard work himself but reluctantly, as he aged, he did let others help him.
Joe was also an excellent baker. Whenever friends would visit, they could always find cookies, homemade bread and other goodies. Often, he would bake and decorate a special birthday cake just for them. He invited friends to his home where he would prepare delicious meals, always served with hors d'oeuvres.
Joe had a passion for giving and helping others. This can easily be seen in his generous gifts to Centralia Providence Hospital, Assured Home Health & Hospice, St. Joseph’s Church and School, Valley View Hospital, Human Response Network, Lewis County Homeless Shelter, Reliable Enterprises, Lewis County Work Opportunity, Visiting Nurses, The Salvation Army, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital and Centralia College. His scholarships will continue to assist students at Centralia College for many years to come.
Joe was a very caring person, well known for helping many elderly people with food, assistance with medical appointments, and even mowing their lawns. He gave extra attention to his elderly friend, Voine Johnson. He frequently went to nursing homes with flowers from his yard and homemade cookies.
Joe is survived by his nephew Daniel Koback (Linda), nieces Beverly Jensen and Barbara Doaks, and Marie’s daughter-in-law, Joan Seip.
His many friends will miss his witty sense of humor, his often overly critical comments about the government structure, his caring attitude, and his constant encouragement of others.
In memory of Joe, and in lieu of flowers, let’s all continue to help others and support those in need living in our community.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia. The burial will follow at Claquato Cemetery.
