Homepage
Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home Inc.
On-Site Crematory
Richboro: (215) 968-8585
New Britain: (215) 340-9654
Email Obituaries Email

John Anthony Miksiewicz

John Anthony Miksiewicz was born in Poland on August 15, 1923. Son of Maria Warcholak and Frank Miksiewicz, Brother of Stanley and Ludwig, Loving husband of Cecilia Grabowski, Father of Theresa Ochmanowicz (David), Jeannie Francis (Mark), and Frank Miksiewicz (Gia). Grandfather to 11 grandchildren; David Jr. (Jamie), Dana, Lauren (James), Justin, Ashley (James), Tyler, Stephanie, Sean, Amanda, Gerard and Jake. Great Grandpop to David III, Cassidy, Derek, Owen and Charlie.

Our Father was a survivor and a truly grateful person. He was grateful for life and all the blessings it gave. He loved people and being kind to others. Always with a smile and a hug, he embraced each day to its fullest.

It was not until our late 30s that he began to open up about his past and the pain he had experienced in his life. Born in 1923, Dad grew up on a farm in Poland near the Ukraine border. At 16, like many others, he wanted to contribute by working, so he got a job at a machine shop. Unfortunately, for Dad and many other people in Poland, Dad was imprisoned by the Russian army that had swiftly invaded the eastern part of Poland before WWII. His brother Stanley and his family were taken to Siberia and his brother Ludwig, who was in the army, was captured by the invading German army and put into a concentration camp.

In August 1941, after Germany attacked Russia, a decree of amnesty was issued, and a Polish-Soviet Military agreement was signed.

The Agreement allowed for the release of war prisoners. Dad was released with no place to return to. So, Dad volunteered to join the Polish army and soon travelled to join a Polish Battalion under British Command.  He joined the 1st Polish Parachute brigade, 3rd Battalion led by General Skorski and then General Sosabowski.  Originally, they were supposed to fight to liberate Poland from Russia, but we know that did not happen. He was trained in Scotland and served, along with the allied forces, throughout WWII, traveling across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe defending our freedom. After the war he lived in England for 15 years. Dad was not allowed to go back to Poland since he fought against the Communists and Poland was under Russian rule. Many Poles who would try to go back were imprisoned or executed.  

Dad migrated to Leicester, a city about an hour from London, England and was with many Polish WWII survivors. He was blessed to have his Mother’s brother Walter in Leicester and they were very close. His mother Maria survived the war but unfortunately his Father Frank died shortly after the war due to stomach cancer or lack of treatment.  His brother Stanley and his family were released after the war but not before the Russian army took away his farm and all of his possessions. Uncle Ludwig was eventually set free and he went all the way across Poland to get his Mother Maria and took care of her until she was 103. Uncle Ludwig was very successful and was an electrical engineer. Eventually, Uncle Ludwig settled in Jelenia Gora, a beautiful town 45 minutes away from Prague.

Dad did not see any of his Polish family for 65 years until he was 81.  Eventually, he was blessed to have his brother Ludwig, his niece Danuta, his nephew Marcin visit him in the United States.  Dad was able to visit his entire family in Poland two times.  It brought such joy to his life by fulfilling his mother’s dying wish for him to come back home to Poland.

In 1956, Dad immigrated to America and opened a tailor shop in the Polish neighborhood of Port Richmond. He was 36 when he met Cecilia Grabowski and back then that was late in life to get married and have a family. They married and had Theresa at 37, Jeannie at 39 and Frank at 43.  We were raised with love and a sense of independence. Dad always emphasized that there was good and bad in every race, religion and ethnic background. He was always the first one to help others. Always working and always trying to improve the house. We always had everything we needed, especially love.

At the age of 55, Dad moved the family out of Port Richmond to Northeast Philadelphia.  And true to form, gave us an opportunity for a better life.  He always strived to make sure his family was cared for and protected.  As the family grew with marriages and births, Dad would beam in amazement, filled with pride.  Dad truly loved each of his children, grand children and great grand children.

After 43 years of marriage, Mom passed away in March of 2004.  Dad met Alessandra Urban (Ola) at the Polish picnic grounds.  They both had lost their spouses and they stayed together for 15 years, traveling and enjoying each other and their families. 

Dad loved the Flyers and Professional Wrestling, especially the WWE.  He was a former President of the Polish Veterans Association and a proud Polish man.

Dad worked hard his entire life, sometimes having more than one job.  He instilled a work ethic in his family to strive for better.  He was immensely proud of his family and all of the joy they brought to his life.  He lived for his children.  We will miss him and his gentle heart.

His viewing funeral service and interment in the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery will be held privately by the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Send Flowers And Gifts

Service/Memorial Information
  • Service

Certified Life Celebrants help create a funeral service, memorial service, or tribute that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. The celebrant personalizes all services by working with the family and loved ones.
CANA An international, non-profit trade association of over 3,300 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, that create a community of cremation experts.
Supports the funeral service industry by funding scholarships and educational opportunities for professionals and invests in programs that lift up grieving communities.
Offers hundreds of events and programs each year to boost businesses and support leaders for incredible success by offering a wealth of diverse committees, networking and social events, and award programs.
The world’s leading association to support funeral professionals. Provides members with critical information, innovative tools, resources and the professional community they need to serve families, run sustainable businesses and become pillars in their communities.
Offers services that preserve, protect and promote independent family owned funeral homes in Pennsylvania. Provides advocacy, continuing education, information, legal expertise, products, programs and services to help members enhance the quality of service to families.