Piotr "Peter" Kaplinski

Piotr "Peter" Kaplinski       Age 99Piotr "Peter" Kaplinski a long time resident of the southwest side of Chicago, and recently of Blue Island, passed away on December 11,2016 at the age of 99.  Peter was the beloved husband of the late Janina Kaplinski.  Cherished father of Walter (Cheri) Kaplinski, the late Irene (Carmine) Bilotto and loving Step father to Andy Niekrasz.  Loving Grandfather to Fred (Stephanie) Bilotto, Charissa (Gino) Berrini, Kevin Kaplinski, Gina Piercy, Brian Kaplinski, Andy Niekrasz and Anna Niekrasz.Loving Great Grandfather to many.Youngest son of Jakob Kaplinski and the Agnieszka Bogdan born in the Suwalki region of Poland.  Studied to be a tailor prior to the out break of World War II.  Enlisted in Polish Army 2nd Lancers Uhlan Regiment (Calvary) in 1939 whose Unit was captured by the Nazis at the beginning of World War II.  Peter was held in a prisoner of war work camp near the Belgium border throughout the war.  It was because of his tailoring skills he survived while others around him perished.  Liberated by the Allied troops in March 1945, he immediately enlisted in the 4225th Labor Supervision Company (Polish Guard) in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947 in occupied Germany. It is there, where he met his first wife and his son Walter was born. Immigrated to the United States in 1950 arriving in the port of New Orleans on July 4, of the same year.  Lived in Mississippi for two years before finally arriving in what would be his home for the next six decades, Chicago.Employed by the Johnson & Johnson Company where he would make life long friends. Member of the Polish National Alliance Wista Lodge #1919.He will be fondly  remembered for his sense of humor, high moral values, strong work ethic and for being a loving father, grandfather, a caring husband and a true friend to many.  Services are Friday December 16, 2016 at St. Turibus Church 5646 Karlov Chicago Mass 11 A.M. Interment Resurrection CemeteryVisitation Friday from 10 A.M. till time of Mass 11 A.M. 708-385-4478