Obituary of Bernard William Minakowski

Bernard W. Minakowski, age 80, a resident of Willow Grove, died on October 17, 2010. He was the beloved husband of Virginia Julia Sulikoski Minakowski for 52 years. Born in Frackville, PA, he was the son of the late Francis Minakowski and the late Helen Artishefsky Minakowski. After serving as Lance Corporal with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, Mr. Minakowski attended Wyoming Seminary Prepartory College School and later earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He began his life-time career with the Philadelphia Electric Company as an engineer in the T & D department and had retired from the Purchasing Department. An accomplished musician, Mr. Minakowski had played in a live house band on the radio. He coached Little League baseball when his children were young and had become a fixture at all of his grandchildren's games and events. He had also contributed to his community. Pro bono, he drafted the plans that were used to erect the lights at the softball fields and tennis courts at Mason Mill Park in Upper Moreland Township Perhaps most importantly, he enjoyed hosting his family and friends at his home on the bay in Avalon, NJ. Among his favorite pastimes were crabbing, fishing, and boating in Avalon and Marathon, Florida, closely followed by educating his friends and strangers alike about the intricacies of fishing, crabbing, and the special qualities of living on the water. He will be remembered for his love of the ocean which, now found in his children and grandchildren in whom he instilled it, and who now spend their time pursuing the activities he loved at the shore. Bernie led a life in full and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons and their wives and children; Bernard and Wendy Minakowski of Abington, PA and their sons; Chris and Matt; Michael and Lisa Minakowski of Newtown, PA and their children Julia and Jacob and Chris and Lisa Minakowski of Huntingtown, MD and their children , Alex, Victoria and Grace. He is additionally survived by his brother, Francis Minakowski (Lisa) and sister, Joanne Piccioni. He was preceded in death by his adopted brother, Jimmy and brother, Ronald. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Baron Rowland Funeral Home, 1059 Old York Road, Abington and to attend his funeral mass at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 25, 2010, St. Valentines Polish National Catholic Church, 2330 Margaret Street, Philadelphia, PA , where friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of the mass. Burial will be in Washington Crossing National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent o Minakowski Memorial Building Fund, c/o Christopher Lee Minakowski, 2111 Wilson Blvd., 8th floor, Arlington, VA 22201.