In loving memory of Joseph Stephen Gredlics

Joseph Stephen Gredlics, age 80 of Columbia, Maryland passed away sur-rounded by his wife and 3 daughters on June 15, 2025 at Howard County General Hospital. He was born on October 18, 1944 in Szakonyfalu Hungary, son of Josef Gredlics and Julia Gredlics.

Joe was a devoted husband to Rebecca Ann Gredlics for 57½ years and a loving father to Jenny (& Rich) Gough, Terri (& Jim) Harris, and Cindy (& Norm) Antonio. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Kaitlyn Gough, Taylor (& Ryan) Galligan, Lauren Gough, Casey Jo Gough, Jimmy Harris, Joey Harris, Melina Antonio, and Nathan Antonio; and his sister Julia Hess and 5 nieces and nephews Diana, Donna, Joe, Karen, and Rick.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Josef Gredlics and Julia Gredlics, and his nephew David Gredlics.

At the age of 12, Joe along with his parents and sister, escaped from Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Carrying only what they could, they crossed the border to Austria, and spent 6 months in a refugee camp. From there they secured the final seats on an Operation Safe Haven Flight to America. Joe and his family were sponsored by a cousin residing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It was in Pennsylvania where Joe and his family learned English and assimilated to the culture as they embarked upon U.S. citizenship.

Joe graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1962. Heworked hard in his Father’s painting business to secure the purchase of his treasured pale yellow 1967 Ford Fairlane. He completed an Electronics Training Certification in Allentown which was accepted for two years of college at the University of Illinois towards a degree for Electrical Engineering . 

Joe went on to enlist in the Armed Forces of the United States in 1965. Eventually being stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland where at age 22, he met Becky, age 19, through Becky’s Mother Ruth Whittington.  After a whirlwind romance, they married six months later on December 2,1967.

Joe dedicated 33 years to his career as a systems analyst at IBEW. He was known for being a meticulously detailed record keeper. If you needed something he could find it in his many heaping mounds of paperwork encompassing his office. His disorganized organization of record keeping carried through to every facet of his life.

Joe and Becky went on to have three beautiful daughters; Jenny, Terri, and Cindy who took them on the ride of their lives. Joe and Becky were inseparable throughout their marriage.

Joe extended his fatherly love to Becky’s siblings throughout the many phases of their lives. As the proud pátriárka (Hungarian patriarch) of the family, Joe’s door was always open. Whether the need was big or small, day or night, he never hesitated. If you called, he answered - with no questions asked and with unwavering generosity, for as long as you needed him.

Joe was a member of Resurrection Church since its inception in 1980.  A devoted catholic who loved helping out in the church and giving back to others serving as a Church Usher for many years. He was the last founding member of Council 9808 Knights of Columbus at Resurrection Church and climbed up the ranks to Grand Knight.

Evenings were spent with friends and family playing cards, eating meals, sharing laughs or hanging out with his beloved companion ‘Trouble’.  Over the years, Joe continued his love for traveling the world with Becky and his adventurous group of friends, exploring new places and making unforgettable memories. When he wasn’t off on a new adventure, you could always find him in his favorite recliner, faithfully cheering on the O’s or Phillies. A lifelong baseball fan, Joe had an incredible mind for stats. Even after his stroke, that sharp baseball knowledge never faded and remained one of his greatest joys.

Although Joe was a man of few words, it was evident to all who were around him how much he cared for his family, friends, and community

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/joseph-gredlics/obituary/

Copy