Joseph Andrew Maceyak

Joseph (Joey) Andrew Maceyak, beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, song writer and mentor passed away on June 24, 2025. Born on January 15, 1945, to Joseph and Mary Maceyak (nee Kemezy), in Homestead, Pennsylvania, he became known as Joey. At the age of three, Joey moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois, instantly becoming an unwavering and lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox. Joey graduated from Lindblom Technical High School in Chicago in June of 1962 with many accolades and awards, then from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in June of 1966, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He then went on to earn a Master of Science at Cornell University in January of 1969, also pursuing a PhD in Computer Science.

In a move that would seal both his destiny and a love affair with skiing for the remainder of his life, Joey chose to move to Colorado to ski and teach mathematics at Colorado State University instead of defending his PhD thesis. Joey ultimately landed in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where he first met his future wife, Colleen. In February of 1974, Joey became a teacher at a private high school, Buckingham Academy, in Steamboat, teaching multiple subjects including mathematics, physics, computer science, philosophy, theatre, skiing and guitar. In August of 1975, he co-founded Colorado Timberline Academy (CTA) in Durango, Colorado, along with his colleagues Bob Therrell and Claire Raines and other faculty and students from Buckingham. CTA was the setting of Joey and Colleen’s wedding in May of 1979 and was where they raised their two daughters, Rochelle, born in October of 1980, and Bret, born in January of 1984. As the director of CTA from 1981 to 1994, Joey fostered academic achievement through outdoor activities for teens in need of an alternative to traditional high school environments, including students from South America, Europe, South Korea and Japan. Through his teaching, mentorship and profound love of the outdoors, Joey forever impacted the lives of numerous students and faculty, remaining a strong support figure and friend in their lives well beyond their time at CTA. Many recount the ways in which he shaped them into the adults they are today and many still know the school song, which he wrote, by heart. The CTA community has served as an extended family for Joey and his family, and they remain friends with numerous board members, faculty and students from both Buckingham and CTA.

Stepping away from CTA in 1997, Joey shifted to entrepreneurial endeavors, returning to his love of computer science and becoming a website developer. In 2000, he became a computer software developer at LORE International, later purchased by Korn Ferry. He evolved into a fiercely loyal associate/worker, and his 25-year career ended solely due to his passing.

Joey had many loves and passions, but his family was always #1. He lovingly created an annual family holiday, “Cinco de Maceyak”, that he would plan with utmost care and creativity, for which his daughters would cross oceans to attend.

Joey is survived by his wife Colleen; daughters Rochelle and Bret; grandchildren Jasmine and Elijah Buniger, Ardene and Jody Maceyak; sister Arnie Virva; nieces Shelly Boutell and Roberta Virva, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you spend some time together with your loved ones watching a sunrise, skiing, cooking and eating a spectacular meal, playing guitar, listening to music, attending a symphony, rooting for the White Sox, hiking, backpacking, houseboating or doing Joey’s favorite daily activity, cruising in a convertible with the top down (black BMWs are best)!