John Kieronski

John Paul Kieronski CHARLOTTE - Mr. Kieronski, 85, passed away on July 16, 2012, in Charlotte. He was born on March 14, 1927 in Gromnik, Poland to Stanislaw and Anna Kieronski, and immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island as a small child. He grew up in Uxbridge, Massachusetts where he graduated from high school. He served his country in the US Navy during World War II. After the war John attended the University of Massachusetts, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and working as a textile engineer in New England. He and his family moved to the Carolinas in 1967, where he worked in the textile industry in Charlotte for many years until his retirement. He held several patents for his innovative designs of complex textile machinery. John is survived by his wife of 17 years, Colleen Duncan Kieronski, and by his brother Stanley Kieronski of Worcester, MA. John's wife of 42 years, Joan Lawrence Kieronski, pre-deceased him in 1993. Their children, son Timothy and wife Becky Kieronski of Waxhaw, NC, daughter Elizabeth and husband Les Scott of Tenafly, NJ, and daughter Jennifer and husband Terry Phillips of Upton, MA, survive him. Daughter Mary Joan Willocks pre-deceased them in 1985. Grandchildren, Marie Kieronski of Raleigh, NC, Stephanie and husband Dan Guerra of Uxbridge, MA, Ian McCracken of Tenafly, NJ, and Grace McCracken of Tenafly, NJ, also survive John. Surviving stepfamily members dear to John include stepdaughter Deborah Goforth and her husband Paul Aaron of Mt. Holly, NC, stepson Adrian Duncan and wife Amy of Charlotte, NC, and stepson Donald Duncan and wife Rita of Gastonia, NC, and the grand children, Aaron Goforth and wife Katie of Belmont, NC, Billy Goforth and wife Amanda of Mt. Holly, NC, Chris Quinn and wife Jennie of Shelby, NC, Russell Duncan, and Sarah Duncan of Charlotte, NC, and great-grandchildren Thomas and Michael Goforth of Belmont, NC. John was a member of Sharon Baptist Church. He also was a founding member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Charlotte, where he served in many capacities for decades. John was also an active member of Oasis Shrine, Past Master of Phalanx Lodge No. 31, Royal Arch Masons and the York Rites bodies of the Masons. John was a Past Royal Patron of Carolina Court No. 10, Past Grand Royal Patron of the Order of the Amaranth of NC, Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Long Creek Ch. 151, and the Azusa Grotto, Knights Mason of USA and Charlotte AMD. In past years, he and his wife Joan were active members of the Charlotte Little Theater. He will be missed by many for his quiet strength, wise counsel, and love of family. Funeral arrangements are by Harry and Bryant, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte, where calling hours will be from 6 8 PM on Thursday July 19. The funeral will be held at Sharon Baptist Church at 11 AM on Friday, July 20, the Rev. Robbie Paige officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.