Born: 09/24/1943 Holyoke, MA Died: 04/03/2026 Brattleboro, VT Details of service: Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 17, at 1:00 PM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial immediately following at St. Michael’s Cemetery. After, a celebration o f life reception will take place at a location to be announced.   Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home at 40 Terrace St. in Brattleboro. Joseph (“Joe”) Stanley Pieciak Jr., 82, of Brattleboro, Vt., died peacefully on April 3rd, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home. Born on Sept. 24, 1943, in Holyoke Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Joseph and Sophie (Babiasz) Pieciak Sr., and grew up with his younger brother, Michael, in Chicopee, Mass. Hard work defined Joe’s childhood. Whether it was long summer days on his grandparents’ farm or working alongside his father at Storms Drop Forging Company, Joe had a habit of outworking everyone around him. That same drive carried onto the football field. He became a standout player at Chicopee High School, where his coach, Bill Moge, called him the “key to the team.” His talent and determination earned him a football scholarship to American International College, where he studied accounting—and became the first in his family to graduate from college. Joe met the love of his life, Carolyn Sullivan Pieciak, when they were set up on a blind date in 1962 by Carolyn’s best friend, Maureen Doody O’Donnell—and from that moment on, the course of his life was set. Joe and Carolyn were married on June 12, 1965, in West Springfield, Mass., and together they built a life centered on family and love. Their daughter Jennifer was born in 1970, followed by Elizabeth in 1975, and Michael in 1983. Joe worked as an accountant in Springfield, Mass. before he and Carolyn moved to Brattleboro in 1970 so Joe could manage the regional office of Livingston Haynes. They were welcomed to the Brattleboro community with open arms and formed a deep love for the town and its people.  In 1983, Joe established Pieciak Company. Alongside his founding partners—Wendy Dubois, John Meyer, and Tim Fogg—he grew the firm into one of the leading accounting practices in Southern Vermont. His longtime employees—Mea Whitworth, Gloria Short, and Millie Austin—became like family to him. He built a workplace grounded in loyalty, respect, and genuine care for those around him. Joe’s relationships with his clients were equally enduring. Many remained with him for decades, often passing their business from one generation to the next. To them, Joe was far more than an accountant—he was a trusted advisor, a steady presence, and, most importantly, a friend. Joe was deeply committed to the Brattleboro community he called home for 56 years. He served in numerous leadership roles, including serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce, co-chairing the United Way alongside his wife Carolyn, and contributing his time to the Vermont Economic Progress Council, the Humane Society, and the St. Michael’s Finance Committee. He played meaningful roles in supporting local initiatives—from expanding the golf course from 9 to 18 holes, bringing lights to the Brattleboro football field, to helping establish the Teen Center, now the Boys Girls Club. Whether through formal leadership or quiet acts of generosity, Joe showed up for his community, often saying that Brattleboro had done so much for him and his family, it was the least he could do to give back. For Joe, the values that defined his life—family, community, sacrifice, and hard work—were deeply rooted in his Polish heritage. It was a source of great pride for him, and something he stayed connected to throughout his life. Most recently, he honored that connection by serving as Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for the Polish Center for Discovery and Learning in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Sullivan Pieciak who died on May 20, 2025. All who loved Joe and Carolyn are comforted in knowing they are together again. Joe leaves behind his two daughters, Elizabeth Lawyer and her husband, Travis Lawyer, of Brattleboro, and Jennifer Rau of Chicopee, Mass.; his son, Mike Pieciak of Winooski, Vt.; his brother and best friend Michael J. Pieciak, of Chicopee, Mass.; his four grandchildren, Nathaniel and Kelsey Rau and Michaela and Riley Lawyer; his brothers-in-law Richard Iannitelli of The Villages, Florida and John R. Sullivan Jr. of Sweetwater, Tenn.; as well as numerous cousins. Joe was also preceded in death by his sister-in-law Maureen Sullivan-Iannitelli. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Boys Girls Club of Brattleboro, 17 Flat St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning, 33 South St., Chicopee, MA 01013. To share a memory or offer condolences to Joe’s family, please visit www.atamaniuk.com. Read the story on VTDigger here: Joseph S. Pieciak, Jr.. ...read more read less