John P. Borowski, U. S. Army Veteran

John P. Borowski, 96, of Port Allegany, died Sunday, August 10, 2014 doing what he loved, picking blueberries at Bozberry Farms in Turtlepoint.

Born February 14, 1918, in Kato, PA, he was the son of John P. Borowski Sr., and Katherine Petlak Borowski.  He came to Port Allegany in 1935.  On June 27, 1953 in Port Allegany, he married Marion Alice Patton, who survives.

He attended Kato schools through the 8th Grade.  At the age of 16, his father died and he was forced to quit school to work to support the family.  In 2013 was awarded his High School Diploma through the Veterans Diploma Program thanks to Tony Flint, former superintendent of Port Allegany School District.  He was considering attending classes at UPB. 

He worked in the Maintenance Dept. of Pittsburgh-Corning Co. in Port Allegany as a Tradesman A. for 45 years from 1938 to 1983.  Following his retirement he worked for St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church as a Grounds Keeper and overall Handyman until 2008.  He served for 3-1/2 years in the Army, from Dec. 1942 to Mar. 1946, and was honorably discharged with a rank of Staff Sergeant.   He earned medals from the American Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, Good Conduct medal and World War II Victory medal.  He participated in battles in Central Europe and Rhineland, including the Battle of the Bulge. He was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather and always had a smile on his face.  He could be seen frequently cruising through town in his car with his famous license plate “FEFIC.”  He loved life.

Mr. Borowski was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, as well as the Knights of Columbus.  He also belonged to the American Legion Frank Burt Post 258, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6391

Mr. Borowski was a volunteered at PACS for many years

Besides his wife, he is survived by 3 daughters, Nancy (Thomas) Recker, Lima, OH;  Janice (Thomas) Himes, Mt. Alton, PA;  Teresa (Dirk) Taylor, Findlay, OH, and one son, Steven (Denae) Borowski of Bradford;  10 grandchildren – Jamie (Henry) Troese, Josh (Tara) Layman, Ryan Recker;  Michael, Nicholas, Luke & Faith Taylor;  Morgan, Tyler and Connor Borowski;  12 nieces & nephews, 29 grand nieces & nephews and 15 great-grand nieces and nephews and two cousin

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Jacob, Michael and Joseph, and two sisters, Ann Ueblhear and Katherine (Jean) Lilly.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 on Tuesday August 12, 2014 at the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc, Port Allegany. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 1:30 pm Tuesday in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, August 13 2014 at 10 AM in St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. James Campbell, officiating.  Burial will be in St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Port Allegany.  Full Military Honor will be accorded by the Port Allegany Honor Guard at the Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Online condolence may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Port Allegany.