Kownacki, John R., Sr.
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Military Service Description
John Kownacki enlisted into the United States Army Air Force on 1942-09-25. He was stationed at a post in south New Jersey in 1943. In 1944, Kownacki, now a staff sergeant, was serving overseas in France. Kownacki was discharged on 1945-10-11.
Biographical Text
John Robert Kownacki Sr. was born on 1918-09-04 to Stanley and Valerie Kownacki in Mahwah, NJ. John had one older sister, Victoria, and two younger sisters, Wanda and Helen. Kownacki worked for Allied Products before his employment at the Mahwah Post Office, where he worked as a clerk and revenue protection officer. He worked for the post office for 43 years before his retirement in 1985.
While in the Army, Kownacki married Mary Ann Soha on 1943-12-25 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Mahwah. The Kownacki’s moved to Suffern, NY the next year. They lived on Hillside Ave with their five children, Carole, Mary, Joanne, Vicki, and John Jr. Kownacki was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, the American Postal Workers Union, and multiple hunting and fishing clubs. He also taught fly tying for the Suffern High School adult education program and spin casting and fishing techniques for Ramapo Central District 1 adult education program. Kownacki passed away on 1986-06-20. He was 67.
Family Members
Mother:Valerie (née Jaworski)
Siblings:
Victoria
Wanda
Helen
Wife: Mary Ann (née Soha)
Children:
Carole
Mary
Joanne
Vicki
John Jr.
Bibliography
"'Added Starters' In Ramapo 1 Adult Program Offers Variety," Ramapo Valley Independent, February 10, 1955, p. 14.
"A Ford In Mahwah's Future," The Record, November 28, 1953, p. 28.
"Chit-Chat," The Journal News, July 8, 1984, p. 67.
"How Would You Spruce Up Mahwah," Ramapo Valley Independent, March 9, 1950, p. 6.
John Kownacki, 1920 United States Federal Census.
John Kownacki, 1930 United States Federal Census.
John Kownacki, 1950 United States Federal Census.
John Kownacki, New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Index, 1901-2016.
John R. Kownacki Sr., Find a Grave.
"John R. Kownacki Sr.," The Journal News, June 23, 1986, p. 9.
"John R. Kownacki Sr.," The Record, June 23, 1986, p. 20.
John R Kownacki, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010.
John Robert Kownacki, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.
"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, October 26, 1944, p. 13.
"Mary Ann Soha, Corp. Kownacki Wed Xmas Day," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 30, 1943, p. 4.
Photo Captions
Photo 2: Kownacki's draft card, completed on 1940-10-16 in Suffern, NY (Ancestry Library).
Photo 3: Kownacki helping a customer, Mahwah Post Office, 1953 (The Record).