Obituary of John Cierniak

Jan (John) Cierniak, 84, passed away January 18, 2012 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. Jan Cierniak (John) in English, was born January 4, 1928 in Wielopole, Poland, the son of Jacob and Maria Coch Cierniak and resided in the small village of Bobrka. In late April, 1942, at age 14, John was instructed by the German army to go to Germany to work on a farm in support of the war effort. He had no choice in the matter and was forced to leave and went to work in Mogglingen, Germany. This was John's new home before his later trip to the United States. After World War II, John spent four more years on the farm until sometime in June of 1949, then immigrating to America on July 17, 1949 at age 22. Not being a U.S. citizen yet, John was drafted into the United States Army and went to basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, later to serve his "new" nation in Korea in January, 1954. During his service, John belonged to the 69th Infantry Division, Artillery Unit and was presented with U.S. citizenship for his contribution. On returning from Korea he began the quest for his "American Dream". During his quest John would find himself self-employed, owning a couple of service stations including the Sinclair station on Mansion St. in Poughkeepsie. KEM Plastic Playing Cards of Poughkeepsie, NY would be his retirement job after 29 years of service as a pressman. In 1993 he began his retirement thus fulfilling his American dream. On August 31, 1957 he married Margaret B. Jones at St. Bernard's Church in Sharon, CT. His wife survives him at home. John is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law Davida & Gary Taylor of Chincoteague, VA; sons & daughters-in-law Jeffery & Karen Cierniak of New Paltz, NY and Jeremy & Theresa Cierniak of Poughkeepsie, NY; son James Cierniak of Poughkeepsie; grandchildren Michelle, Michael, Jeffrey, Jacey, Michael, Julie, Johnni, Luke, Jasmyn, Jessica, Dana and several great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by John Eric Cierniak on August 7, 2003. Calling hours will he held on Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 1:00 - 4:00pm at Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. A service will be held at 3:30pm in the funeral home. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. If you need directions or would like to send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com.