Joseph P. Maxwell, age 80, passed away on December 30, 2022. He was born on October 19, 1942 in Saginaw, Michigan to Leon and Eunice Maxwell. After graduating from Jackson High School, he attended Eastern Michigan University, receiving a degree in history and education. Joe relocated to the Higgins Lake Area and pursued a career in teaching. He then moved on to selling real estate, where he met his wife, Cathy in 1977. They married on November 15, 1980. After purchasing the Windjammer Resort in Greenbush, Michigan, they later chose to sell their resort and settle in Oscoda, Michigan, where they had two boys, Peter and Thomas. In the spring of 1982, Cathy’s Hallmark was opened in downtown Oscoda. Joe was proud to celebrate 40 years in business this past year.
Joe enjoyed serving the community in a variety of ways. His involvement in Rotary, specifically with the student exchange program and involvement in the development of the Pocket Park, were special interests to him. He served on the Oscoda Au Sable Chamber Board, performing many roles, including president, where he received the Citizen of the Year Award in 1994. He was a member and chair of the DDA committee, where he was instrumental in the rehabilitation and renovation of the Huron Shores Artisan Hall. He was most recently involved in the RAB committee and spent time serving the Oscoda Historical Society.
No one was a stranger to Joe. He was a lover of books and history, a true foodie at heart, and an avid recycler. He could most likely be found in five places, depending on the season: his office at the store, at Parkside Dairy, taking a dip in Lake Huron, watching U of M football or recycling anything and everything in his garage with his beloved, Fat Cat. Joe went out of his way to make those around him laugh or listen to stories, recounting all sorts of details only a true historian could describe. He was known for sending newspaper cartoons and humorous cards to his friends and family just because.
Joe was a beloved, husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be sorely missed. Joe is survived by his wife, Cathy, two sons, Peter (Amber) and Thomas (Christina) and his two grandchildren, Jack and Grace, sister and brother-in-law, Susan (Chuck) Dvoracek, brother-in-law, Frank Vyskocil, nieces, Michelle and Tracey Vyskocil, and Fat Cat and Porter the dog. He was predeceased by parents Leon and Eunice Maxwell, brother Don and sister-in-law Shirley Maxwell, brother Bill and sister-in-law Sue Maxwell, father-in-law Frank Vyskocil, Jr. father-in-law Lawrence and mother-in-law Irene Bocek, sister-in-law Sue Vyskocil, and best friend Jace the dog.
A celebration of Joe’s life will take place later this year.
