Joseph Fedorchak

POLAND - Joseph P. Fedorchak, 76, passed away Tuesday morning at Hospice House, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born Sept. 4, 1935, in Youngstown, a son of the late Joseph and Susan Sabol Fedorchak.

Respected as a staunch advocate of Slovenian and the Cleveland-style Polka music, Joe has performed throughout the continental United States as well as internationally. He is recognized for his consistent and unselfish support for efforts toward the further enhancement and perpetuation of the Cleveland-style Polka movement. He has been instrumental in enlistment of other musicians into the Cleveland-style polka movement and has provided valuable support and assistance to fellow musicians.

Joe began formal accordion music studies in 1944 at the age of nine. He continued his formal studies after honorable discharge from the Army in 1960. After serving in the Army, he went to work at the Youngstown Sheet & Tube as a foreman until its closing. Also proficient on the button chromatic accordion, he has devoted more than 60 years towards playing and promoting polka music.

Joe launched his career while still in elementary school, when he became a member of the "Polka Serenaders Orchestra" in the late 1940s. In 1952, while still in high school, he joined the "Johnny Butchko Orchestra." As a member of this orchestra, he participated in several recordings along with numerous appearances on live radio and television programs during the 1950s and 1960s.
Joseph graduated in 1953 from Woodrow Wilson High School. He formed his own orchestra in 1963 after the retirement of Johnny Butchko. He has earned accreditation for the development of a unique tempo, rhythm and sound that has established his orchestra as one of the most consistently popular polka bands, based on the number of requests for his music on radio programs and also through resounding album sales in record shops. He co-hosted the very popular "Gene Fedorchak Polka Show" on WKBN 570 in Youngstown for 25 years.

Joe produced, arranged and recorded six albums. He was also a charter and diligent member of the "Penn-Ohio Polka Pals" organization, lifetime member of the Cleveland-style Polka Hall of Fame, a member of SNPJ Lodge No. 643, Girard, a member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Chicago chapter, voted the "Ohio State Polka-Rama Champs" in 1976, honored as the "Man of the Year" in 1987 by the Penn Ohio Pals, a contributor on the "Penn Ohio Polka Pals Souvenir Edition" album which was a finalist for the 1989 Grammy Awards, winner of the Cleveland-style Polka Hall of Fame "Band of the Year 1991" and "Album of the Year 1994," contributor with two songs on the Walter Ostanek Grammy Winning Album "Music and Friends" in 1995, and was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

Joe leaves his wife, the former Phyllis Ann Kramer, whom he married July 19, 1996; his daughter, Jodi Brent Milhoan of Lordstown; two brothers, Gene JoAnn Fedorchak of Seven Hills and Robert Kathy Fedorchak of Marietta, Ga.; two grandsons, Ben and Austin Milhoan; and six stepchildren, Mary Ann Eddie Mcearcern and their daughter, Sarah Rose of Charlotte, N.C., Joseph Peggy Speilvogel and their children, Michael and Katelyn of Virginia Beach, Va., Josephine Dave Juddo of Georgetown, Pa., Christine Speilvogel of Pittsburgh, Kathleen Speilvogel of Columbus, and Louis Speilvogel of Ohio.

Family and friends may call today from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel. The family will be having private funeral services for Joe.

Material tributes may take the form of donations to Hospice of the Valley.
Joe's family would like to thank Northside Hospital, Dr. Thomas Burkert, Cleveland Clinic, and Hospice of the Valley.

"SEE YOU BEFORE TOO LONG - SOMEWHERE DOWN POLKA ROAD."