Joseph J. Bien

1929 - 2023

Joseph J. Bien, 93, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Rome Memorial Hospital. He was an "exceptionally good Uncle" and a great storyteller. No one could tell the story of his life better than he:

"It's a long life story, but I did live a long life. I was blessed with a good family and friends and especially having Barbara as my wife.

I was born on April 9th, 1929 in Rome, NY, to Antoni and Julianna (Centka) Bien. I attended Transfiguration Grammar School and Rome Free Academy. During an exhibition game when I was young, I was a ball boy for Joe DiMaggio and other greats and may be the only person who had a ball signed by his wife (not Marilyn). As a teen, during the war years, I worked the mucklands to supplement the family income as my brothers were in military service. I was employed in later years by the Rome Tobacco Co., ROAMA on Griffiss Air Force Base, and Rome Cable Corp. (all non-existent now).

I served in the U. S. Navy aboard the destroyer USS Stribling DD-867 from 1950-54 during the Korean War. As a Tin Can sailor, I operated with the Task Force 77 plane guard and submarine screen with the aircraft carrier Oriskany. I survived four days in a typhoon in the South China Sea and was especially proud to have earned my 'Shellback' designation upon entering the Domain of the Golden Dragon at the equator crossing. Flogging was abolished in the U. S. Navy but the initiation tradition continued somewhat.

After completion of our duty tour in Korean waters, I continued to circumnavigate the globe. I was privileged to have visited over fifty countries, many during my duty in the U. S. Navy. I rode a camel in Bahrain, had a beer in the Kasbah, enjoyed skiing the Alps, had a private audience with Pope John XXIII at St. Peter's Basilica, earned my Barber's license, shed a tear in Auschwitz, and witnessed the after-effects of the destruction of Nagasaki by the atomic bomb. In my 80s, I invested in the tail end of a horse and started my adventure in harness racing. I'm glad I remained fluent in my parent's native Polish language which helped me to reconnect with relatives on my trips to Poland in later years.

I am a life member of Transfiguration Church, Rome Polish Home, American Legion Post 24, Frank J. Steczko Post P. A. V., serving as adjutant from 1978 to 2021, also South Rome Seniors, AARP, US Trotting Association, Harness Horse Association, Tin Can Sailors, Inc., and the USS Stribling Reunion Group (where Barbara and I enjoyed the annual get-together around the country with my old shipmates). In 2021, I received the Immaculata Award from Bishop Lucia for my service to the church.

I married Barbara Miazga on October 21, 1967, in St. Joseph/St. Patrick Church in Utica. She died on February 2, 2013.

I am survived by sisters-in-law, Anna Marie Miazga and Connie Miazga, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. I was predeceased by my parents; brothers, William, Bernard and Louis; sisters, Frances Stepanowicz, Mary Civiok, and Josephine Racino.

'Fair winds and following seas' my friend.

In my memory, in lieu of flowers, please do a good deed for someone.

In keeping with Joe's wishes there will be no public visitation or funeral services. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 20 at 9 a.m. at St. Stanislaus and St. Casimir Cemetery, 80 Wood Rd., Whitesboro.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of the ER and 2nd floor at Rome Hospital for the care and compassion they afforded to Joe during his time there and to his good friends Dave Wood and Brenda Klara who were our angels here on Earth during this difficult time.

Arrangements are under the direction of McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica.

Messages of sympathy at www.mmknfd.com