Joseph "Captain Track" Trachimowicz

Retired Worcester Police Captain Joseph “Captain Track” Trachimowicz, 99, of Worcester, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 24th 2019. 

Joe was born in Worcester on May 18, 1920, son of Anton and Mary (Palkewicz) Trachimowicz and lived there all of his life.  He graduated from Worcester High School of Commerce.  He attended Quinsigamond Community and Assumption College.  Additionally, Joseph completed several educational programs relative to his police career in law enforcement, including courses in “Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Enforcement” conducted by the US Department of Justice.

Captain Track was appointed a Worcester Police Officer in 1949.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1957, and to the rank of Lieutenant in 1962.  His final promotion to the rank of Captain was in 1967.  Joe served the citizens of Worcester for over 36 years, 28 of those years in the Vice Squad, 10 years of which he was Commander.  He also commanded the Juvenile and Internal Affairs Divisions.  Captain Track retired from his police work in 1985.   Prior to his police career, he worked for Wyman-Gordon Company in the Forge Division.  Additionally, after his retirement, Joseph served for 10 years as a “Road to Recovery” driver for Hope Lodge (American Cancer Society) in Worcester.

Joseph was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Luba N (Repekta) Trachimowicz, who passed away in 2011.   He is survived by his two sons, Robert J Trachimowicz and his wife Patricia (O’Neil), of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and Richard J Trachimowicz and his wife Dianne (Krom), of Drakes Island, Maine; five grandchildren, Timothy Trachimowicz and his wife Gina, MD, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Matthew Trachimowicz and his wife Abbey, of Denver, Colorado, Nathan Trachimowicz, of Richmond, California, Kate Trachimowicz and her wife Angela, of Derry, New Hampshire, and Christopher Trachimowicz and his wife Ashley, of Thousand Oaks, California; eight great grandchildren, Andrew, Joshua, Ryan, William, James, Cole, Avery and Taylee; and several nieces and nephews.  Besides his wife Luba, a brother, Anthony Trackerman, and two sisters, Stephania Trachimowicz and Helen Lucevich, all predeceased him. 

Joseph was a US Army, World War II, veteran, serving in the Philippines where he saw combat with the 43rd Division.  Joseph was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in combat.  After the war ended, he served with the Occupational Forces in Tokyo, Japan with the 720th MP Battalion.  Joe also served in the 181st Infantry Battalion of the 26th Yankee Division, Massachusetts National Guard.   Joe was a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.  He was also a Life Member of the Massachusetts DAV, Chapter 4, and a Life Member of the Alhambra Council #88, Knights of Columbus and the Worcester YMCA.  He also belonged to the Greendale Retired Men’s Club, the Worcester County Retired Police and Firefighters Association, the Massachusetts Police Association, the Worcester Police Relief Association, and Ionic Ave Boy’s Club Alumni Association.   

Joseph was a beautiful and kind man who cherished his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was proud to have served the Citizens of Worcester for such a long time.  The friends and brotherhood he shared with his fellow police officers made him so proud and thankful.

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours, Tuesday, October 29th from 5 pm to 8 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.  His funeral will be held Wednesday, October 30th from the funeral home with a procession escorted by his beloved police officers to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1290 Grafton St. where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am.  Entombment with military honors will follow in Notre Dame Mausoleum.  In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in his name can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675