Joseph Bednarek; was head of bank

Joseph R. Bednarek, 93, of Mayfair, former president of Washington Savings Bank and operator of Bednarek Real Estate & Insurance in Port Richmond, died Saturday, Nov. 3, of natural causes at his home.

Death came three days after that of his wife, Norma Rita Bednarek, 91. His son Martin G. said the losses in quick succession were hard to bear.

"It is like getting punched in one jaw. Then you get punched again in the other jaw," he wrote in an e-mail.

Starting in 1951, Joseph Bednarek was director of Kazimierz Wielki Savings & Loan, later Washington Savings. He never retired, rising to treasurer in 1972 and president in 1985.

"He attended a board meeting two months ago," said his son, now bank president.

Joseph Bednarek, a Navy veteran of World War II, used the GI bill to buy the couple's first home, but money was tight. Kitchen cabinets weren't possible; they scavenged fruit-store orange crates on which to store their dishes.

Mr. Bednarek was a licensed insurance and real estate broker for more than 60 years, with an office in his boyhood home. His wife worked with him starting in 1968.

The two met at a skating rink called Circus Garden and married on Aug. 21, 1943.

Mr. Bednarek enjoyed fishing with his son Joseph M., a surgeon in Bucks County. The two went after striped bass, weakfish, and drum at the Jersey Shore.

Surviving, in addition to his sons, are a sister and six grandchildren.

Viewings will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, and 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at John F. Fluehr & Sons, Inc., 3301 Cottman Ave. A 10 a.m. Mass will be said at St. Matthew Church, 3000 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia 19149. Rite of committal will be in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Bucks County.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Matthew Sanctuary Fund at the church address.