Joseph Carl Piorkowski, 72, of Hampton Township, died Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J., after a short battle with brain cancer.
Joe was born in Paterson, N.J., was raised in North Haledon, N.J., and moved to Hampton Township in 1997. He graduated from Manchester High School in Haledon, N.J., and went on to have a career as a welder for over 50 years. For the last 20 years of his career, Joe was a head fabricator for R.S. Phillips Steel in Sussex. He retired at age 70.
Joe was creative and had a good mechanical aptitude. He enjoyed vintage vehicles, but motorcycles were his life. He used his fabrication skills repairing and customizing motorcycles with his son Calvin and friend Ben Thollot, with their “side hustle” – Retrofit Cycle Works.
He won the People’s Choice Award in September 2021 at the Cheap Thrills Motorcycle Show in Seaside for a carefully custom-built clone of a motorcycle he originally built in the 1970s. He had a large Instagram following for his motorcycle photo memorabilia and the adventures he loved to share. In his retirement he especially enjoyed creating metal motorcycle sculptures. Other creative pastimes included drawing, and building model cars and guitars with his son, Ray.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Evelyn (Rudolph) Piorkowski. He is survived by his sons, Calvin and wife Kate, and Ray; his former wife, Jeanne Piorkowski; his sister, Joanne Ottens; and his nieces, Karen Lizotte and Kelly Fotiadis. He also leaves behind close friends Ben Thollot and Greg Calkins, and many other friends through Retrofit.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 23, from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Stillwater Firehouse, 929 Stillwater Road, Newton, NJ 07860. In keeping with Joe’s personality, it will be a casual time together. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 12 to 2 p.m.; then starting at 2 o’clock there will be a time of reminiscence, celebrating Joe’s unique life. Attendees are welcome to share their memories of Joe. Light refreshments will be served.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe’s name can be made to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be offered at woodfuneralhome.net.