John Polinski Jr.

John Polinski Jr., (94) of 108 Garden St., a life-long resident of Sayre, PA, joined his wife, his brothers and sisters and the members of his Army platoon in eternal peace on March 14, 2012. A true “East Side Ukie,” John was born at the family homestead on Tioga St. in Sayre, the son of John Polinski Sr. and Anna Sagan Polinski. He attended Sayre High School until the Great Depression forced him to leave to assist his family. He received his SHS Diploma in an Honorary Ceremony during the 2009 Graduation in the Lockhart Street Bowl, where he had skated on the pond as a child before the high school was even built. On June 14, 1941 he married Anna Kachmar at the Ascension of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in Sayre. In World War II, John was a soldier in the 350th Infantry Regiment of the famed 88th Infantry Division “Fighting Blue Devils.” Corporal Polinski served as a Squad Leader in North Africa and Italy and fought in the Liberation of Rome. He was severely wounded in combat when his unit was pounded by German artillery fire as the 88th ID was breaching the Nazi’s Gothic Line across northern Italy. Most of the members of his platoon lost their lives in the barrage, and although John lost a leg, he never let it prevent him from enjoying a rousing three- step polka at the dances held in the 1950s at the Higgins Avenue Ukrainian Hall. Before the war, John was employed as a groundskeeper for the Robert Packer Hospital and by Dr. and Mrs. Donald Guthrie in Sayre. After returning from the service in 1946, John was employed by the Sayre Post Office until his retirement in 1976. John was preceded in death by Anna, his beloved wife of 54 years, on July 26, 1995. He and Anna were devoted members and officers in various clubs of the Ascension of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in Sayre. John held life memberships in Skiff-Bower Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 1536, Ball-Skerpon Catholic War Veterans Post # 773 and the Disabled American Veterans Association. For many years, John also served as a Sayre Fire Policeman and was a Civil Defense Auxiliary Policeman during the early years of the Cold War. John enjoyed reading, gardening and helping others. John was frequently well ahead of his time, being an early proponent of organic gardening, vitamins and minerals, holistic and chiropractic medicine, magnetism and home energy efficiency. He was also a gifted and talented woodworker and carpenter, having completed extensive renovations to his home and others around his Garden Street neighborhood over the years. John will be remembered by his family and friends as a man of strong faith and deep devotion to his family, church, community and country. He’ll also be remembered for the tremendous inner strength and determination that supported him throughout his long and constructive life. Surviving are: 5 very blessed Sons and Daughters-in-law: John and Sylvia Polinski of Denver, CO, Stephen and Sharon Polinski of Miami, FL, Peter and Diane Polinski of Candor, NY, Daniel and Judy Polinski of Sayre, Paul and Sue Polinski of Red Oak, TX 11 wonderful Grandchildren: Alicia, Mary Bridget, Leah, Evan, Mark, Adam, Joseph, Stephen, Rachel, Sarah and Christina. 3 terrific Great Grandchildren: Sarah, Drake and Emily and several loving nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by a wonderfully close-knit and caring family; Brothers, Michael (& Julia) and Steve (& Madeline) and Sisters, Mary Cross (and Kenneth) and Eva Macynski (& Frank). The family will receive friends at the Alteri-Bowen Funeral Home, 314 Desmond St. Sayre, PA, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 18th A panakhyda service will be held at the funeral home at 4:45 p.m. On Monday, March 19th, a Panakhyda service will be held at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy at the Ascension of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in Sayre, with the Rev. Teodor B. Czabala Jr., celebrant. Interment will follow in the Ascension Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Athens Twp., PA, with the Valley Color Guard according full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be directed to the Ascension of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church or the Church’s “Flood Relief Fund” at 108 N. Higgins Ave. Sayre, PA 18840, or to the charity of choice in John Polinski, Jr’s memory.

John Polinski Jr.

August 10, 1917 - March 14, 2012

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John Polinski Jr.

August 10, 1917 - March 14, 2012

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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