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Jan Maciejewski
Jan Maciejewski
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Jan Maciejewski Obituary
Jan Maciejewski had a knack for being in the right place in the right time.
In 1990, when Mr. Maciejewski was still living in Poland, a friend got a visa to study in the United States. The friend could not go, but Mr. Maciejewski could, so he postponed his plans to be a soccer coach and immigrated to the land of his dreams.
In 1995, a young woman named Mary DeFranco was at a restaurant in Midtown where her bartender friend wanted to introduce her to a man named Chuck.
"I said, 'I don't want to meet a guy named Chuck,' " she recalled. " 'I want to meet a guy with an odd name and an accent. Like him.' " She pointed at a good-looking waiter with brown-green eyes and a distinctly European air. It was Mr. Maciejewski's twin brother. He was already married, so Ms. DeFranco was introduced to Jan Maciejewski instead. They married the next year.
Mr. Maciejewski, 37, an avid soccer and tennis player, was always running. He would run from his main job as a waiter at Windows on the World to catch the subway to his other job as a computer consultant. He would run back to the subway to get home to his wife in Astoria, Queens. When she looks through the pockets of his pants, she often finds the Band-Aids he wore on his well- traveled feet.
A colleague at Windows on the World had asked Mr. Maciejewski to fill in for him on the breakfast shift on Sept. 11. Sure, Mr. Maciejewski had said, and gone off to work.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Connie
September 11, 2024
Dear Jan,
You are remembered today and always! ❤ Continue to support and guide Mary.
With love, Connie ❤
Nick Schneigert
September 12, 2023
Jan! I hope all is well. As I mentioned before, you remind me of my dad. A Polish immigrant (refugee actually) and he can tear apart a computer and put it together. And he coached a team with Polish kids on it so he was a bilingual coach. I am a coach myself as I am the head cross country/track coach at the University of Dallas. Poland is not looking so hot in the Euro championships right now. I am sure if we had met we would be discussing their successes with Lewandowski and making it into the 2nd round of the World Cup. Yet they still fired the manager. Not good. God Bless brother and sending prayers to your wife and the rest of your family.
September 11, 2023
❤ Jan, you will never be forgotten! ❤ Keep looking over Mary.
Peace always,
Connie
Neil Cheetham
September 11, 2023
Still in my thoughts Jan. RIP
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Connie
September 11, 2022
With love and remembrance ❤
Connie
September 11, 2021
Thinking of you. Peace and love be with you always, Jan.
❤
Neil Cheetham
September 11, 2018
RIP Jan. Never forgotten.
Connie
September 11, 2017
Always and forever in our hearts.
Maria
August 17, 2017
Pamietamy...
Maria
August 17, 2017
Do zobaczenia...
Neil Cheetham
September 11, 2016
Jan, I hope your family don't mind this post as I didn't know you and I never met you, but I visited ground zero in December 2015. As I walked round the reflecting pools I took a picture of one of the names etched into the plinth. The name I photographed was yours. I wanted to make sure that a person who lost his life so tragically would always be remembered by a total stranger. You'll never be forgotten your family and friends but your name will always be remembered by me too. Rest in peace Jan.
Maria antoniak
September 10, 2015
Jan. Chodzilimy do tej samej szkoy w Polsce w Zdunskiej Woli.
Tez mieszkam w USA i byam wiadkiem 9/11. Szkoda, ze nie spotkalimy si tutaj wczeniej.
Spoczywaj w pokoju. M
September 12, 2014
Dear Jan,
I wear your bracelet, the one Mary gave me to honor you, every year on 9/11. You will always be remembered!
With Love,
Connie
A. DiPonio
September 11, 2014
Thinking of you today my friend. I speak to my son often about the kind of man you were. We should all aspire to live our lives as you did.
Peace brother
S J. Friscia III
June 7, 2014
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
September 12, 2013
Hey brother. I am sending a prayer to you and your family. As I mentioned before you remind me so much of my father who came to this country from Poland to get a better life. I still think of you and all of the victims. I was called for duty right after 9/11 and served in the Middle East a week after the horrific events. May God bless.
A. DiPonio
September 11, 2012
Love and Peace to you my friend. Thinking of you now and always.
Mary Maciejewski
September 10, 2012
11 years ago today life was still perfect!
Jan Maciejewski
April 17, 2012
Jan Maciejewski Easter Sunday 2000
Jan Maciejewski
April 17, 2012
Connie
September 11, 2011
Dear Jan,
Remembering and honoring you today and always.
Love,
Connie
Karen
September 8, 2011
I worked in the office where Jan did consulting work. What a sweet man. Seeing this picture surprised me for some reason - I hadn't seen a photo of him in so long. He always had a smile on his face.
Nick
September 8, 2011
Jan,
Its been 10 years now and as I mentioned before, you and my father were a lot alike. My father came here from communist Poland with 5 dollars in his pocket and worked hard to raise a family. Its sounds like you worked hard to be successful to live the American dream. I am sure you are looking down upon us. And yes, Poland is hosting Euro's this year alongside Ukraine. Amazing, isn't it? I am pretty sure you will be rooting Poland to be successful. They have a respectable squad right now with a new head coach. Take care brother and may you rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Nick
September 7, 2011
Hi Jan,
I cannot believe 10 years have passed since 9/11. I just wanted to let you know I still think about you and what a great guy you were.
I have a now 9 yar old son asking a lot of questions about what happened that day. I do my best to explain, but I don't think I'll never be able to adequately convey it. But maybe that's for the best anyway because I surely remeber and I don't want him feeling what I did. At the same time, I fear his and other generations will never fully understand what we lost that day, much like it was difficult for us to fully understand what those who lived through Pearl Harbor went through.
See you again someday Jan.
May 3, 2011
Now you can finally rest in peace
Susan Maciejewski-Damasevitz
January 6, 2011
Jans' memory will live on forever... Bless all who will miss him as well as all the families affected by this disaster.
Connie Caffarello
September 11, 2010
Dear Jan,
I truly wish I had the pleasure of meeting you while you lived here in my building. However, I do feel I know you and am able to communicate with you through your wife, and, my good friend Mary. She has such great love for you and has given me insight into your life, wonderful demeanor, and personality!
May this candle represent the light you continue to shine on others. You are, and will always be, remembered.
With love,
Connie
September 12, 2009
We still proudly display the flag and plaque we received in honor of Jan Maciejewski, may you always be remembered. Our prayers go out to all that knew him and to his family.
Kerry Sue & Gary
September 11, 2009
Eight years later, the pain and horror of that day are still as fresh as if they occured yesterday. I said a prayer for you and all the others we lost. I will never forget.
-Anthony DiPonio
Anthony DiPonio
September 11, 2008
Still thinking of you Pal. God bless you Jan.
Nicholas
September 11, 2008
Jan,
You remind me of my father who escaped from communist poland in the early seventies....hard working, caring, and gosh darnit...just a good guy. And he loves soccer and computers. As a navy reservist I was called up right after september 11th and went to the middle east. I was proud to know that Poland supported the United States during Afghanistan and Iraq situations. Thank you Poland. And Jan...Polski made it to the Euro this year....one step closer to glory years again...and I am pretty sure you are in heaven saying Boruc is one heck of a goalie!!
Nicholas
P Tabbernor
December 17, 2006
In remembrance....
Kristine
November 14, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Kerry Sue Berg
September 24, 2006
On the 5th anniversary the Kiwanis Club of Marietta GA placed over 3,000.00 flags in memory of the victims of 911. The flags were sold the following week, and I am honored to say that we purchased the flag that was honored to Jan Maciejewski. We proudly display this flag and the certificate of rememberance. Could this message please be forwarded to his wife, as we would like for her to have the certificate. We would be honored to keep the flag in his memory, unless Mrs. Maciejewski has not been sent a flag already, if that is the case we will send both to her. Note: To whomever reads this, if they wish to contact us, please use the email address of: [email protected] and provide me with a mailing address.
Sincerely,
Kerry Sue & Gary Berg
Kawana Winfrey
April 1, 2006
To the Maciejewshi Family and Friends:
Years have passed but, memories remain. I pray that God will continue to strengthen all of you. God Bless
Mark Margiotta
October 2, 2005
Although I've never met Jan, I always look for his name when browsing websights relating to September 11th. Jan's wife, Mary and I were close childhood friends that lost touch for awhile.
Reading the many postings from others whose life Jan has touched sends home the message of "how much one man's life can make a difference to so many others." I am proud to have a connection to someone who was a good human being and who is very missed. Knowing Mary's character and ideals, I truly understand what a nice person we've lost.
Mary, you and your family will always be in my thoughts no matter how out of touch we become.
Love from your friend always,
Anthony DiPonio
June 17, 2005
Mary,
In the short time I knew Jan, I'd say he touched my life in a way very few others have. He was a genuinely kind, humble, happy, and honest person.
I met Jan while we took our IT training classes together at Computer Career Center in Rego Park. We would talk about our classes and about Astoria (where I grew up and was living at the time) He often spoke of you and said that you and he should go to dinner with myself and my wife (then my fiance). He also said that anytime I wanted to go to Windows on the World for a date with Grace, he would arrange for a table near the window. We exchanged phone numbers and I pledged that we would talk and make concrete plans, but I never did as I was always consumed with work and study. That is something I will regret for the rest of my days.
I keep Jan's picture (I got it from a 9/11 tribute page) on my desk. I keep it there as a reminder of what is truly important in life...our loved ones.
My heart breaks for your loss and I hope and pray that you have found some peace since the trajedy.
God Bless You
--Anthony DiPonio
Bob and Tina Sonzogni
December 1, 2003
Dear Mary:
We remember meeting you and Jan at a cookout on Frank and Gloria's deck just 2 months before your terrible loss.
You were both spoken of fondly by the Stellas. We also remember when you called to get help with the A/C when they came to visit us and you were house sitting while looking for your future NJ home.
Tina called Frank that morning to find out if Jan had, indeed, gone to work at the Windows. We checked back through the day and hoped for a miracle.
You both continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Bev, John & Katie Wilson
September 11, 2003
Dear Mary, Andy, Columbia and others who loved Jan,
Know that you are in our thoughts and in our prayers today. Seeing Jan's mark on your lives is the greatest tribute he could have. A man who was loved as much as he was loved by people who are so special is but one illustration of what a remarkable young man he was. Even in death, he has touched the lives of others. His story and the poem you read at his memorial remains in my Bible. I used it recently at a memorial service for another young man who was snatched tragically from his family. The comfort it brought that family is now being passed back to you.
Gwen Sewell
September 11, 2003
We will never forget those we lost on that fateful day. A day that touched us all regardless of where we lived.
Angie & Tony Clement
September 10, 2003
May you rest in peace...
LIAM HANRAHAN
August 4, 2003
Dear PAUL, MARY(I've not met),and JAN's loved ones;
I had the honor of
knowing Jan while working with him in midtown. In 20 years of restaurant work, I never knew a more reliable individual, nor anyone who worked harder than Jan, and indeed Paul and all the Polish guys.I worried for you all on 9/11, knowing you all had moved on to Windows.That only one was lost was no relief.My prayers have been with Jan and Paul and will be always.
Agnieszka Gensler
September 23, 2002
Dear family of Jan!
I`m polish to and I send all my prayers to you. Nothing will fill the emptyness he left when he past away. Í`m sure he is looking down on you. GOD BLESS YOU
Mariusz Fraszczak
September 14, 2002
To niemozliwe! Tak powiedzialem, gdy po raz pierwszy ukazala sie lista ofiar tego strasznego wydarzenia. Widnialo na niej Twoje - Janku - nazwisko. Czym predzej siegnalem do monografi "Elektronika" i... Tak to prawda. Janek Maciejewski VAu - klasa prof. Tosik... Pozniej juz byly tylko lzy. Mysle, ze tam gdzie teraz jestes moze byc tylko dobrze. Pozdrawiam wiec Ciebie w imieniu wszystkich absolwentow, uczniow, nauczycieli naszej szkoly... zdunskowolskiego "Elektronika"
Anita Maciejewski-Dumsch
September 11, 2002
My maiden name is Maciejewski and I grew up in Michigan daughter of Edwin Maciejewski whose parents settled in New York from Poland. My oldest sister is named Janice and went by Jan also. Jan's picture reminds me of my father, slim, fine features, and true to form proven energetic and hard working. I haven't run across very many with the same last name and being in the military have traveled extensively-- I always looked. In a week my family and I are headed to Washington DC for another government transfer. I find it fitting to carry on the work of freedom which took so many of our heroes. In Jan's name and so many others, I will do my best to honor their memory. On behalf of my sisters, Jan has to have been related, he made our name proud. With profound sympathy. Janice, Marlene, Carol, Lorraine and Anita Maciejewski
Gail Maciejewski
September 11, 2002
I know we are all related somehow in this world, but seeing a distant relative/cousin which I am sure Jan is to me somewhere down the line, I would like to say to his family, I am deeply sorry, from reading about Jan he seems to have been a great man, who all who knew him should be honored to have known him. I know the Maciejewski's from Chicago my hometown feels the same. God Bless your family.
Angela Twynham (nee Maciejewski)
September 11, 2002
It is September 11th. I am looking through a website dedicated to the memory of those that were killed in the New York terrorist attack last year. I have come across someone named Jan Maciejewski. My father was also named Jan Maciejewski. He came from Gydinia in Poland during the last war. He was a kind, thoughtful, hardworking man, always ready to do a good turn - just like your Jan. I wonder if they were related? My father was sadly killed in a car accident in 1972. My heartfelt sympathy to your family.
Angela
RoseAnn Knurbein
September 10, 2002
Dear Mary,
We were overseas when this terrible thing happened to our family and our country. We thought of you and prayed for you everyday. Now with the anniversary I want to say we still think of you and pray for you everyday. It was a wonderful time when your sister Debbie came into our family and even better when we met you, Jan and your parents. Our family has been enriched for all you of having come into it. My children still remember meeting Jan at Easter brunch. They particulary remember how funny he was. We have his picture framed from that family day.
May you continue to feel his love guiding you.
RoseAnn
Andrew Pringle
September 1, 2002
Dear Mary,
We've never met but I wanted to tell you how very lucky I am for having had the opportunity to meet your wonderful husband Jan. I got to know him from the times I had breakfast and lunch at The Windows on the World. What a great way to start the day by exchanging "Good morning Jan" with an ever friendly and smiling "Good morning Andrew". Being from the UK my colleague Ian Peart and I soon discovered that we shared a strong mutual bond with Jan - Soccer!! We have many happy memories of discussing the latest world soccer news with Jan before he, ever vigilant, would dash off across the restaurant to attend to another guest before returning a bit later to continue our soccer stories. No doubt he was looking down from Heaven to watch the World Cup this summer - I'm sure he would have been a bit disappointed with Poland but would be excited that the U.S. did so well!
It was easy to tell that he was a loving and proud husband, and also a very hard working one who was excited about the future and your possible plans. I will always remember Jan as an extremely kind and thoughtful person.
My family and I send our heartfelt sympathies to you and your extended family. Jan has certainly left a very special footprint in many people's lives and it was my priviledge to have known him.
With All Best Wishes,
Andrew Pringle
Gloria and Frank Stella
June 25, 2002
Hi Jan,
Summer is in the air and it would have been time for you and Mary to help us plant our garden. We will miss you being here.
As we plant each flower we know that you will be with us in spirit and that will make things a lot easier for us.
We think of you often with loving memories and console ourselves with the thoughts of your smiling face in Heaven.
You will always be in our hearts.
Love You,
Gloria and Frank
Angie Campbell
May 5, 2002
May God Bless you and the family and friends that you left behind on 9/11/01. Rest in peace forever more.
Andrew J. Maciejewski
March 12, 2002
To the Family of Jan,
I don't know many Polish last names like Maciejewski. This could very well be a relative of mine from Poland. My Heart felt Prayers to Jan and his family.
Dorota Meissner
March 11, 2002
Jasiu,byles 1-szym Polakiem o ktorym dowiedzialam sie ze zginal 9/11...modle sie za dusze twoja, i za zdrowie i sily dla twojej rodziny.....
Bill Maciejewski
February 28, 2002
I was just browsing through this site and I am eager to read all I can about the 9/11/01 incident. I was checking through the listing and was looking to see if there was any possibility that someone with the same last name as I have was on the listing. I am sorry for the loss of a loved one to the Maciejewski family. I only could wonder if Jan was a relative. Thank you!
Bill "SKI" Maciejewski
Clovis, NM
February 27, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MAN JAN MACIEJEWSKI AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS WIFE..FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA..NEW YORK AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF POLAND..MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..MAY JESUS..ST.JOHN GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
DEBBIE
February 26, 2002
LET ME FIRST SAY THAT I PRAY EACH TIME I LOOK AT A LIST WITH NAMES FROM SEPT 11TH THAT JAN'S NAME IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND
WHAT CAN I SAY JAN IS MY BROTHER AND LAW AND ALWAYS WILL BE.
HIS BEAUTIFUL SMILE WOULD LITE UP ANYROOM HE WAS IN. HIS HEART IS A BIG AS THE SKY. HE NEVER SAY NO
HE LOVED A LIFE AND WANTED SO MUCH
FOR HIM AND MY SISTER HE LOVES MY SISTER MORE THAN LIFE IT SELF. HE LOOKED AT HER WITH SUCH LOVE IN HIS BEAUTIFUL EYES. HE WAS KIND TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS HE TRIED TO DO EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE. HE LOVED TO JUKE AROUND. HE JUST LOVED IT ALL. WE ARE ALL MILLIONAIRES TO HAVE HAD JAN IN OUR LIFE TO GET THE CHANGE TO MET SOME AS RICH FOR LIFE AS HE WAS. SINCE SEPT 11 I HAVE SEEN MANY LIVES CHANGE IN OUR FAMILY
JAN IS STILL MAKING MAGIC FROM ABOVE HIS PRESENT HAS CHANGES LIVES FOREVER SOME PEOPLE HAVE SIT DOWN AND TOOK A GOOD LOOK AT LIFE AND JAN AND HAVE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.
I THINK IF EACH ONE OF US HAD SOME OF JAN IN US WE WOULD BE A BETTER PERSON.
ONCE HEARD THAT LOU COSTALLO DIED OF A BROKEN HEART. I COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MENT. NOW WE KNOW.
JAN IF YOU ARE READING THIS WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU MORE THAN YOU COULD EVERY IMAGE. I DO NOT HAVE TO TELL MARY LOVES YOU AND MISSES YOU EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF HER LIFE
WATCH OVER MARY ABOVE AS YOU DID WHEN YOU WERE NO ONE DID IT BETTER THAN YOU PLEASE DON'T FORGET MOLLY I KNOW SHE LOVES YOU TOO
I LOVE YOU JAN
DEBBIE
Ian Peart
December 24, 2001
Jan, a great human being who could never do enough for anyone. My life, and Im sure everyone who met him, has been enhanced thanks to him.
I first got to know Jan when I went up to Windows On The World for breakfast at 7 am...How anyone could be as happy,energetic and so full of life as he was at that time of the day amazed me, and still does. After talking to him about soccer, Poland and our respective families it was nearly lunchtime! Time just flew when you were in his company.
How I enjoyed our chatter,so much so that I only missed a few breakfasts in my 4 year stint in New York and indeed other colleagues started coming with me so they could catch up and talk with him as well !
Mary , to you and all the family our sincere sympathy, Jan will never be forgotten, your loss is the worlds loss.
God Bless.
Teresa Jahn
December 23, 2001
What a wonderful love story. We are deeply sorry for your loss of Jan. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
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