John J. Pawliczak

Florida, NY - John J. Pawliczak, age 89, died on Sunday October 21, 2007.

He was born in Goshen, N.Y. on August 7, 1918, the son of John P. Pawliczak and Catherine Olejnik. He was married November 7, 1948 to Madeline (Green) Pawliczak who preceded him in death in May of 1988.

John was a lifelong resident of Florida, N.Y. In his early years he was an onion farmer and also a house painter by trade. His services were much sought after. Everyone knew him as "John the Painter".

He served in World War II from March 1942 to October 1945 as Private First Class in the 427th Anti-Aircraft Gun Battery and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He earned an Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with one star, four Overseas Bars and one Service Stripe. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945.

He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He also served as a Fire Police Lieutenant in the Florida Fire Department, Highland Engine and Hose Company, which he joined in 1955. He received the Outstanding Fireman of the Year Award in 1991 and became an honorary member in 1995. In April of 2005, he was presented with a certificate of merit by the New York State Assembly for 50 years of service. He also received a 50 year service certificate by the Highland Engine & Hose Company in recognition of his faithful performance of active service with the Florida Fire Department. A certificate of a Legislative Resolution by the State of New York commending him upon his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Florida Fire Department was also given to him in April 2005.

Survivors include his five children: Thomas Pawliczak of Florida, N.Y., Daniel Pawliczak and wife. Linda of Jefferson City, Mo., John M. Pawliczak and wife, Patricia of Newburgh, Barbara Fraser and husband, Robert of Gainesville, Fla., and Christine Bonanno and husband, Anthony of Montgomery. He is also survived by one brother, Raymond Pawliczak and wife, Anne of Middletown; two sisters, Jennie Fisher of Warwick, and LuAnn Owens of Merritt Island, Fla.; eight grandchildren: Christopher Pawliczak and his wife, Angela, Karen Pawliczak, Jillian Pawliczak, Katie Pawliczak, Sarah Pawliczak, Michael Bonanno, Lisa Bonanno, and Sebastian Fraser; one great-grandchild, Madison Pawliczak, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Eleanor (Pawliczak) Regelski. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., today, Tuesday, October 23, at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, NY 10921. Firematic services will be held at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Tokarczyk officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in John Pawliczak's name to the Florida Fire and Rescue, PO Box 600, Florida, NY 10921.

Those wishing to email condolences of tribute to the family may do so at johnpat84@aol.com, or by visiting www.purtafuneralhome.com.