Obituary of Franciszek Gacek

Franciszek “Frank” Gacek Wallkill, NY Formerly of Pine Bush, NY Franciszek (Frank) Gacek of Wallkill, NY passed away peacefully on Friday June 25, 2010 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus. He was 98 years old. The youngest child of Marchin and Wiktoria Gacek, he was born on July 27, 1911 in Cichawka, Poland. He was educated at the Salesian Fathers Philosophical Institute and the A. Mickiewicz University, Proznan, Poland. He was an ordained deacon of the Salesian Order. At the outbreak of World War II, he served in the Polish Army with the rank of Sergeant. He earned the Monte Cassino Cross, the Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords, the La Croce al Merito de Guerra (Italy), and honorary distinctions of silver and gold from the World Federation of Polish Veterans of World War II (S.P.K.). In September of 1944, he married Bronislawa (Weglarz) who predeceased him in October of 2004 after 60 years of marriage. Together they lived in Palestine, England and the United States raising six children. Frank was a Polish Community leader. He was a teacher at the Salesian Fathers High School (Poland-1935-38); President of the M. Konopnicka Educational Society (New York-1956-66); President of the Polish and Slavic Center (New York-1973-75). He was also active in his parish of St. Cyril and Methodius (Greenpoint, NY) as both lecturer and fund raiser; an active member of the Polish Veterans of World War II (S.P.K.) and the Polish American Congress (P.A.C.). He was the author of various articles for the Nowy Swiat (a Polish newspaper). During his long lifetime, he spoke many languages, Polish, Greek, Latin, German, Italian and English. Frank was a member of St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Bullville, NY. Frank leaves behind his six children, Barbara Zolnowski (Michael) of Wallkill, NY, Lech Gacek (Daniela) of Morrison, CO, Elizabeth Gacek of Flushing, NY, Christine Pitynski (Andrew) of Greenpoint, NY, Anne Steffens (Don) of Pine Bush, NY, and John Gacek (Julie) of Wheatley Heights, NY. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Peter Gacek (U.S. Army-Ret.) (Cher) of Georgia, Grace Miller (Mark) of Littleton, CO, Philip Gacek (U.S. Air Force-Act.) (Danielle) of Georgia, Michael Zolnowski (U.S. Army-Act.) (Michelle) of Pennsylvania, Alexander Pitynski (Agnieszka) of Greenpoint, NY, Paul Gacek (U.S. Army-Act.) (Toni) of South Carolina, and Francis and Matthew Gacek of Wheatley Heights, NY. He was a great grandfather to Trinity Gacek of Georgia, Anika and Josiah Miller of Colorado, and Andrew and Alexandra Pitysnki of New York. In addition to extended family in England, Poland and the United States, Frank leaves behind a sister-in-law, Francis Sokolowska of Georgia. He was pre-deceased by his wife, brothers and sisters, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Frank was a devout Catholic whose devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, he credits for saving his life with in concentration camp and to whom he faithfully prayed the Rosary. His strong Catholic beliefs and values enabled him to live his life to the fullest despite many hardships and difficulties.Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 from 4 to 7pm at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc, 1525 Burlingham Road, Pine Bush, NY. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday July 1, 2010 at 9:00am at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Bullville, with Father Patrick McGuigan O. Carm. officiating. Burial will take place at the Veterans Cemetery at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA following the funeral mass. The family sincerely thanks Mrs. Maria Jablonska for her devoted and loving care to Mr. Gacek in his final years as well as Mrs. Ludmila Kruczynski. Also, a special thanks to Mrs. Gail VanTassel, a Eucharistic Minister, who faithfully brought the Eucharist to Frank. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Pauline Fathers, National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Rd, Doylestown, PA., 18901, to St. Paul’s R.C. Church, P.O. Box 222, Bullville, NY 10915, or to any Veterans Organization of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. 845-744-6008 or www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com