Joseph August Oravec, 74, passed away on March 22nd, 2024 at his home in Dearborn.

Joe was born to August Joseph Oravec and Elizabeth Louise Kennedy on March 29, 1949 in Detroit Michigan.

Joe graduated from Wayne State University.  He retired in 2020 after a 46 year career in the College of Science. Joe made his mark at WSU leading efforts in laboratory safety and developing and teaching courses in hazardous waste management. Joe eventually led trends in internet technology (WWW) for the College of Science in the 1990s. Joe often endeavored to learn new trends, and he often became expert and invited to share that knowledge. As Director of both Science Support Services and IT Services for the College of Liberal Arts and Science, Joe was proud to have started many students on their path to careers in science.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife, Mary Beth (Dignan), and his sons, Joseph Patrick and Daniel (Anastasia). He is also survived by sisters, Linda (Marvin) Walter and Mary (Vinson) Rehfeld. Joe will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Kennedy and Oravec and Dignan families.

A visitation will be held at the Dearborn Location of Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Friday, April 5th, 4-8pm. Rosary will be said at 7pm. A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, April 6th, 11am. Gathering at the church begins at 10:30am.

Interment at Mt. Kelly Cemetery.

Donations in Joe's memory are appreciated to:

Sacred Heart Grade School Technology Fund

and

The Capuchin Soup Kitchen (  https://www.cskdetroit.org/online-donations) 

 https://www.cskdetroit.org/images/uploads/misc_images/CSK_Online_donation_form.pdf