Joseph Gresko, age 91, departed this life on May 23, 2009 at St. Joseph's Home, Richmond, VA, where he had resided since January 2007.

Born in Hermanville, St. Mary's County, MD on July 21, 1917, he was the son of the late Andrew Gresko and Suzanna Hvlac Gresko.

He worked on the family farm through the Depression until the outbreak of World War II, when he moved to Baltimore, MD to work. His Maryland National Guard unit was called into action and was deployed to southern England as a Military Policeman one year before the Allied invasion of France. He was seriously wounded during the first wave of D-Day action at Omaha Beach, Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was married to Susie Ann (Rahaim) Gresko of Jacksonville, FL in November 1944 after recovering from his wounds. Jobs were scarce for vets, but he secured a parcel post position with the US Postal Service and later served as a letter carrier in Baltimore, Eastern Branch, MD. He retired in 1973 to St. Inigoes, MD, where he lived until 2007. He was an avid gardener, hunter and fisherman and enjoyed coin and stamp collecting. He was a graduate of Great Mills High School.

He is survived by his wife, Susie Gresko of Richmond, VA; son, Joseph Gresko of Montpelier, VA; daughter, Rosemarie Newman of Dundalk, MD; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The family also will receive friends between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, St. Mary's City, MD followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. James Cemetery.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.