Walter "Joe" Maholick

Walter Joe Maholick died at his home in Whittier on April 7, 2016. Born in Whittier on September 8, 1950, Joe was the son of Walter & Anna (Evanchik) Maholick. As a native of Whittier, Joe graduated from Sierra High School in 1968 and went on to attend Mt. Sac College until he was drafted into the military. He served in the Army 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam era and after serving in the Army, he joined the Navy Reserves. Joe was married to Kathryn Robitaille with whom he had his only child, Nicholas. Then in 2004, Joe was re-married to Suanne Oldenburg in Burden, Kansas.



Joe lived a very diverse life. He was a cross country runner in high school; the shortest, albeit fastest, runner on his team. He loved plants, animals and collecting antiques with his wife Sue, especially wood-burning stoves. As he began his working career he was a landscaper for many years before becoming an iron worker on high-rise buildings. His most recent, and iconic, vocation was as a chimney sweep. He began his own business, Smokey Joes Chimney Sweep, whereby he would wear his trademark black top hat as he cared for his customers chimneys. He was a member of the California Chimney Sweep Guild and a long-standing member of the Whittier Chamber of Commerce. Joe owned and operated Smokey Joes Chimney Sweep for 25 years.



Joe is survived by his son, Nicholas Maholick, and two stepsons, Greg and Alexander Roubitaille.