Published in the March 8, 2018 edition.
MELROSE — Jan Lesiak, 94, a resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 5, 2018.
Jan Lesiak was born in Tomaszow, Poland on August 26, 1923, one of three children of the late Edward and Maria Lesiak. He was raised with his family in Poland until the occupation of Germany during WWII. At the age of 16, Jan was removed from his home and placed into forced labor in Germany, along with millions of others. Many of the workers succumbed to the harsh conditions and treatment; however, Jan persevered through mental toughness and physical strength. Jan survived five years under German control, and fell in love with a fellow displaced woman, Anna. Once he was liberated, he served honestly and faithfully in the Labor Service of the U.S. Army as a civilian for a period of sixteen months. He was assigned to the 7711 Military Labor Service.
At the conclusion of the war, Jan and Anna were nearly separated but through a verbal pledge of marriage, they were allowed to remain together. They were married and soon thereafter migrated to Brazil to start a family of five children.
Jan was a man who believed in truth and justice. He succeeded in life by working hard, being honest, and treating people fairly. While in Brazil, he worked in wrought iron and built four small homes for his family. Resourceful and intelligent, Jan learned the native language wherever he lived, and could speak many languages throughout his lifetime. After living in Brazil for over 13 years, Jan sought a better life for his family and immigrated to the United States, settling in South Boston. He received a certificate in machinery from Wentworth Institute and soon found work at W.R. Grace and Company.
In 1969, Jan and Anna purchased a large plot of land in Richmond, Maine to operate a chicken farm. Jan continued living and working in Boston, and commuted to Maine on the weekends to be with his family. He loved Maine where he enjoyed the quiet solitude and beauty of the land while remembering his childhood growing up in rural Poland. Jan was happiest when on his tractor, tending his fields and clearing his land.
Jan was a self-taught musician who played both the violin and accordion. He enjoyed listening to opera and music from his European heritage, and had a passion for history and reading. On his leisure days, he enjoyed time at Castle Island to watch the ships pull in and out of the harbor. His two family dogs, Gertie and Gretta, were his companions of fun and whimsy, yet he appreciated the animal kingdoms of Africa and the Amazon. He was a member of the Polish Veterans Club in South Boston and a parishioner of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Wakefield.
Above all, Jan loved his family and did his best to take care of everyone while following his motto of “justice and true.” He will be greatly missed, but the life that he led will continue to inspire his family and friends.
Jan was the beloved husband of the late Anna Lesiak. Devoted father of Sonia Maraqa of S. Boston, Tereza Seleznev of Wakefield, Vera Lesiak-Frongillo and her husband John Frongillo Jr. of Melrose, and the late Lucia Mackie and Frederick Lesiak. Cherished grandfather of 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Jan’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, March 8, from 4-8 p.m., and again on Friday at 9 a.m., before leaving in procession to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield for his funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. For directions or online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
