Kownacki, Joseph P.

Michelle Kukan

1921-04-17

Mahwah, NJ

1985-03-30

Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ

Chemist (American Brake Shoe Co./Abex Corp)

Private First Class

32460083

1942-08-15

1945-11-13

Joseph Kownacki was drafted and enlisted into the United States Army on 1942-08-15. Of his three year military career, he spent two years and six months of it as a Military Policeman in the European Theater of Operations. Responsibilities of the Military Police included: ensuring supplies reached the front lines, directing traffic during combat, and guarding and escorting POWs to the rear. Kownacki was discharged as a Private First Class on 1945-11-13.

Joseph Paul Kownacki was born on 1921-04-17 in Mahwah, NJ to Albin and Otylia Kownacki. He had three older sisters: Lottie, Mary, and Stephanie. His two younger siblings were Angela and Tadeusz. The Kownacki family lived on Island Road. Prior to his military career, he worked at American Brake Shoe Company as a chemist. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary School until his eighth graduation in 1943. He was also a student of Don Bosco Preparatory High School and St. Luke’s High School. He was drafted and enlisted into the United States Army on 1942-08-15 in Newark, NJ.

After his discharge from the military in 1945, he continued to live in Mahwah. He married Emily Kopec in November of 1953. The couple had three children: Jean, Thomas and Richard. He continued to work as a chemist at American Brake Shoe Company which was renamed Abex Corporation. He was a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, a member of VFW Post #7124, Mahwah BPO Elks No. 1941, and Mahwah Senior Citizens. He died on 1985-03-30 at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. He was 63.

Father: Albin

Mother: Otylia

Siblings:
Lottie
Mary
Stephanie
Angela
Tadeusz

Wife: Emily (née Kopec)

Children:
Jean
Thomas
Richard

Joseph Paul Kownacki, Find a Grave.

Photo 1: Kownacki, posing in his Army uniform, place and date unknown (Toni Kownacki). 

Photo 2: Kownacki, posing in uniform, place and date of photo unknown (Toni Kownacki). 

Photo 3: Kownacki, place and date unknown (Toni Kownacki).

Photo 4: Kownacki's draft card, completed on 1942-02-15 in Ramsey, NJ (Ancestry Library).