Joseph Hudock was born in Jeddo, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1914. Joe was the sixth of nine children born to Mary Hnat and John Hudock, immigrants from Slovakia. Joseph’s father worked in the coal mines in Pennsylvania and eventually moved the family to Allentown when Joe was still very young. When Joe was fourteen, he hopped a rail car and rode it to New York City. There he took temporary residence with his sister, Mary, who had moved there several years earlier, and her husband, Tom . Joe soon got work as a bell hop in the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel. There he quickly learned the value of getting along with folks. He would get nice tips from the moneyed crowd who frequented the Waldorf and especially big tips for getting them liquor, because prohibition was in then.

Some years later, Joe moved back to Allentown where he met his bride, Cora Cocivera, the only daughter of Italian immigrants. They were married in 1935 in a small wedding at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Good paying jobs were hard to find in the 1930’s and Joe moved in with Cora’s family, which was a common arrangement at the time. They lived in this modest house in the sixth ward for many years. Joe worked doing plumbing for his older brother, George. But George was not unionized and the pay was not sufficient for Joe’s needs. So Joe left and joined the Plumbers & Steam fitters union. There he got better wages and became a leader of the men.

Joe and Cora had their first child, John, in 1937. Soon after, in 1939, Corinne was born, followed by Carol in 1950.

In 1948, Joe was elected to the position of business agent for the Allentown local, a position he was re-elected to for twelve years. In that position he found that his main value to the men in the Union was to court the contractors who needed the union workers. He took up golf and joined the contractors on their days off to play a few rounds. His rapport with the perspective employers grew, and as a result, the men enjoyed plenty of work at good wages. Joe believed the men were exceptionally well paid, and at times, he had to convince the men not to strike for better and better wages. He was afraid they would kill the goose that was laying the golden eggs. Though he was a strong advocate for his men, he also was a very fair-minded person. In 1960, after a particularly heated battle, stirred up by his adversary, Joe lost re-election as business agent.

Because Joe was a popular person in the ward, he also ran successfully for assessor, a position he held for about 10 years.

Always looking for new endeavors, Joe and Cora purchased a bar/restaurant, The Windsor House, in Fullerton, which they operated for about ten years before selling it. Joe went back to plumbing with the union, looking forward to retirement.

Joe took great pride in his wife and family and he was religious. He and his family observed all the ethnic traditions of his Slovak heritage, including the special Christmas Eve dinners and the blessing of the food in church for Easter. He faithfully attended and ushered at 9:30 Mass at St. John the Baptist Church every Sunday. He served as President of St. John’s Social Club (where he was an expert bowler) for many years and played Santa to the school children of St. John’s.

Joe’s interests were diverse. Besides bowling and golfing, he enjoyed gardening and reading, especially National Geographic Magazines. But his real joy in his retirement came from spending time visiting his children and grandchildren with his wife. His two daughters had located in the Schenectady, New York area and Joe and Cora were regular visitors there.

Joseph Hudock died on March 7, 1982, leaving behind his beloved wife, Cora, his son, John, daughters Corinne Cazer and Carol Cirincione, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is dearly loved and sorely missed by all and will forever live on in our memories. May Almighty God grant him eternal rest.

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Copyright 2003 Christopher Cazer