Ann Goceljak, 83, of Pompton Plains, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. She was born in Jersey City, NJ in 1932 to Apolonia Chojnacka and William Rybicki. She was the youngest of six children. Her three brothers, Chester, John and Stanley all served in the military. Her two sisters, Jeanette Kloby and Lottie Zgagowski married, had children and became homemakers. On February 4, 1951 she was married to Joseph Julius Goceljak in St. Anthony of Padua church in Jersey City, NJ.
While Joe served in World War II and the Korean War, Ann worked for several companies including Western Electric in Kearney making relays for telephone systems, RCA in Harrison and Western Union Warehouse. Joe returned from the Navy and took a job with Public Service Electric and Gas where he worked for 42 years while Ann became a homemaker. In 1963 the couple adopted their only child; a boy, who they named Joseph.
The family resided for many years in East Windsor, NJ. Ann and Joe were long time parishioners of St Anthony of Padua church in Hightstown, NJ and also served as extra ordinary ministers. After Joe passed in 2006, Ann resided with her son and late daughter-in-law in Milford, PA before they all moved to Wantage, NJ. In 2007 Ann moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ where she remained until her passing.
She is survived by her son Joseph, nephews Richard Zgagowski, Michael Kloby, John Kloby and her goddaughter, Judy Mattson.
Calling hours will be held 5pm to 8pm on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Barlow & Zimmer Funeral Home, 202 Stockton Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30am Friday at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 251 Franklin Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Burial will follow at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donations to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 or Stand Up 2 Cancer, PO Box 843721, Los Angeles, CA 90084-3721.