Joseph Sulka 1943-2026
POLAND — After a long battle with cancer, Joseph Sulka passed peacefully, in the early morning of Tuesday, March 24, 2026. He was blessed to be in the care of the incredible staff of Hospice of the Valley. His family are grateful for their loving and thorough work.
Joe was born Nov. 5, 1943, in Youngstown, during the height of World War II. His father, Stanley, worked in the steel mills as his father had before him, and his mother, Helen Wroblewski Sulka, worked in a coat factory. They raised the family on Youngstown’s North Side, with Joe’s older sister, Regina (Sawicki) and his little brother, Ronald.
Joe loved attending Mooney High School, where he played football, and later YSU as well.
Right after graduating with a degree in business, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was slated to be sent to Vietnam, but at the last minute, was pulled aside and instead was sent to Okinawa, Japan, where he helped process equipment coming back from the battlefields. He attained the rank of sergeant and was happy to be able to travel to Cambodia and around the region.
Before he left for the service, he married Pamela Lomax, and their daughter, Michele, was born while he was overseas. When he returned, his son Brendt Joseph was born.
He worked for many years for Regal/Harshman Trucking in Niles, where he ran their computer systems. Later he followed his lifelong passion for cars and worked for several dealerships, primarily Stadium GM in Salem. He absolutely loved his work and his colleagues, and he was proud to have many repeat customers over the years.
After retirement, his greatest joy was hosting family and friends for pool parties at his home. He loved music, especially Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, car shows where he dreamed about replacing the beloved 1961 Thunderbird he’d had to sell years before, and all his favorite Cleveland sports teams. He cheered on the Browns, the Guardians and the Cavs with joy, win or lose. He loved walks around his neighborhood and through Poland Woods. Sundays were the highlight of his week, with lunch and card games hosted by his son and daughter-in-law, Sherri, with her family.
Joe leaves behind his son, Brendt Joseph and daughter-in-law, Sherri Hartzell Sulka of Poland; and daughter, Michele and partner Andrew McIntyre of San Francisco; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly. He was a passionate, generous, funny and loving man who is missed so much.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in McDonald.
In lieu of flowers, if friends and family would like to honor Joseph, the family requests that a donation be made to Hospice of the Valley, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland.
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