FORT WORTH, TX – John J. Wolkowicz, 90, formerly of Dudley, MA was blessed to be called home by God for his eternal reward on Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 after a long, adventurous and prayer-filled life.
From a hardscrabble youth in West Warren, John's life was shaped by events both heroic and historic. As a corporal in the 1st Marine Division stationed on mainland China, he was witness to the approach of Mao Zedong and his forces as they overtook the country in 1949. He was a part of the landing of MacArthur at Inchon, and fought and survived the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean winter of 1950.
Returning home, John found love, life and purpose in Dudley with his wife Rita, his sons John, Paul and David, and eventually, his granddaughters Eliza and Emily, to whom he was totally devoted. John and Rita traveled the world together, setting foot on five continents, from Warsaw to Jerusalem, Hong Kong to Moscow to Cairo, and back again.
Professionally, John's 30-year career found him at Raytheon as a design-checker, where his greatest pride was being involved in the Apollo space program that propelled the human race to the surface of the moon.
In retirement, John left Sunnyside Road in Dudley with his wife Rita for sunnier and warmer weather, first in St. Cloud, FL and then Ft. Worth, TX, where he continued his love of gardening and fostered a prayerful life drawn from the earth wherever he went. Through it all though, John never wavered in his gratitude, devotion and commitment to God for his great life, daily thanking Him by attending Holy Mass and offering prayers and rosaries for all hoping that, one day, “he would be granted the Kingdom of God, to enter heaven and be judged and blessed worthy of eternal life in the presence of God, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His Holy Mother, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Holy Spirit and all His Holy Angels and Saints, Amen.”
A private graveside service with military honors provided by the Webster-Dudley Veteran’s Council Funeral Honor Guard will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster, MA. Local arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.