John and Joan Oldenski
John and Joan Oldenski on their 50th Anniversary: June 6, 2009
John and Joan (Tomczak) Oldenski Interviewed September 16, 2015 at Tim Hortons.
I spoke with John and Joan Oldenski who still live in the old neighborhood of St. Stanislaus Church. They are some of the nicest, genuine people I have come to know.
Joan Victoria Tomczak Oldenski is the daughter of Leo Tomczak and Veronica Wulf Tomczak. She was born on July 27, 1930. Her nickname was Jena. Her grandparents came from Poland. Her father, Leo, worked at Griffin Manufacturing and later as a crane operator at Erie Engine. Her mother, Veronica, completed school up until sixth grade, then had to help support her family by working at Griswold Manufacturing.
Mrs. Oldenski (the second oldest) had seven brothers and one sister. Jerome (Jerry) (deceased), Raymond (Moose) (deceased), Leonard (Linda) (deceased), Daniel (Dana), Robert (Clutch) (deceased), Eugene (Gene) (deceased), Patrick (Pat), and Louise (Lou). They grew up on East 14th Street. She has been a member of St. Stanislaus Church her whole life. Her father, Leo Tomczak, grew up at Holy Trinity Parish.
Growing up in the shadow of St. Stan’s, she remembers having processions with benediction every first Friday, and the many years of Novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The priests she remembers are Frs. Kacprowicz, Pol, and Kataczynski (who was bashful and nice.) The Pastor, Msgr. Stanczak was nice, but stern. At Christmas time, Msgr. made sure the children each received a box of candy. The first grade was taught in Polish. Mrs. Oldenski recalls the nuns as all good who “taught the right stuff.” The neighborhood was a place where everyone knew each other and palled around. From seventh grade through high school she worked for Malanek’s Grocery at 759 East 12th Street (which is now Bay City Tattoo.) Mrs. Oldenski attended St. Benedict Academy and graduated in 1949.
I spoke with John and Joan Oldenski who still live in the old neighborhood of St. Stanislaus Church. They are some of the nicest, genuine people I have come to know.
Joan Victoria Tomczak Oldenski is the daughter of Leo Tomczak and Veronica Wulf Tomczak. She was born on July 27, 1930. Her nickname was Jena. Her grandparents came from Poland. Her father, Leo, worked at Griffin Manufacturing and later as a crane operator at Erie Engine. Her mother, Veronica, completed school up until sixth grade, then had to help support her family by working at Griswold Manufacturing.
Mrs. Oldenski (the second oldest) had seven brothers and one sister. Jerome (Jerry) (deceased), Raymond (Moose) (deceased), Leonard (Linda) (deceased), Daniel (Dana), Robert (Clutch) (deceased), Eugene (Gene) (deceased), Patrick (Pat), and Louise (Lou). They grew up on East 14th Street. She has been a member of St. Stanislaus Church her whole life. Her father, Leo Tomczak, grew up at Holy Trinity Parish.
Growing up in the shadow of St. Stan’s, she remembers having processions with benediction every first Friday, and the many years of Novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The priests she remembers are Frs. Kacprowicz, Pol, and Kataczynski (who was bashful and nice.) The Pastor, Msgr. Stanczak was nice, but stern. At Christmas time, Msgr. made sure the children each received a box of candy. The first grade was taught in Polish. Mrs. Oldenski recalls the nuns as all good who “taught the right stuff.” The neighborhood was a place where everyone knew each other and palled around. From seventh grade through high school she worked for Malanek’s Grocery at 759 East 12th Street (which is now Bay City Tattoo.) Mrs. Oldenski attended St. Benedict Academy and graduated in 1949.
1949 St. Benedict Academy SCHOLASTICAN Yearbook.
Scrapbook of Mrs. Helen Tomczak Grygier.
John Andrew Oldenski was born on June 5, 1933. and grew up in on a farm in Corry, Pennsylvania, where there were quite a few Polish people. His paternal grandmother’s maiden name was Aniela Rynkiewicz. His maternal grandmother was baptized in Salzburg, Austria. His parents were Joseph and Nellie Kuss Oldenski, and they were born in Pittsburgh. He had a sister Eleanore Kozik who is now deceased.
The Oldenski family attended St. Elizabeth Church in Corry. There was a PNA club where his grandparents belonged. He attended Cobbs Corner Schoolhouse, which was a one room schoolhouse with eight grades. They had one teacher for all eight grades. Even though it was a public school they said the “Our Father,” and read a Bible Verse. They also saluted the flag.
A Polish priest would come around to the farms to hear confessions in Polish. They would then pay him a stipend. During the Depression, Mr. Oldenski’s father worked for the WPA. He was a farmer by profession but after John got back from serving in the Army, his father found work at Associated Spring-Barnes Group The farm had become too hard to manage. His mother worked for Corry Hospital and Molden Fiber Glass.
Some of his favorite childhood activities included visiting his cousins and making his own skis. They did not get electricity until 1951. He attended Youngsville High School for two years and then went to Corry High School from where he graduated in 1951.
John and Joan met each other at a PNA dance in 1958 that she attended with friends from school.
John and Joan were married at St. Stanislaus Church on June 6, 1959. They had a big Polish Wedding at the Polish Falcons Nest 610. As with many Polish Weddings, breakfast was at noon. The reception started at 2:00 PM with Zielinski as the band. The cook, Mrs. Pastewka, served chicken with all the works, (except for Msgr. Stanczak who had to have fish!)
The Oldenski family attended St. Elizabeth Church in Corry. There was a PNA club where his grandparents belonged. He attended Cobbs Corner Schoolhouse, which was a one room schoolhouse with eight grades. They had one teacher for all eight grades. Even though it was a public school they said the “Our Father,” and read a Bible Verse. They also saluted the flag.
A Polish priest would come around to the farms to hear confessions in Polish. They would then pay him a stipend. During the Depression, Mr. Oldenski’s father worked for the WPA. He was a farmer by profession but after John got back from serving in the Army, his father found work at Associated Spring-Barnes Group The farm had become too hard to manage. His mother worked for Corry Hospital and Molden Fiber Glass.
Some of his favorite childhood activities included visiting his cousins and making his own skis. They did not get electricity until 1951. He attended Youngsville High School for two years and then went to Corry High School from where he graduated in 1951.
John and Joan met each other at a PNA dance in 1958 that she attended with friends from school.
John and Joan were married at St. Stanislaus Church on June 6, 1959. They had a big Polish Wedding at the Polish Falcons Nest 610. As with many Polish Weddings, breakfast was at noon. The reception started at 2:00 PM with Zielinski as the band. The cook, Mrs. Pastewka, served chicken with all the works, (except for Msgr. Stanczak who had to have fish!)
Scrapbook of Mrs. Helen Tomczak Grygier.
Scrapbook of Mrs. Helen Tomczak Grygier.
Scrapbook of Mrs. Helen Tomczak Grygier.
John and Joan Oldenski Wedding June 6 1959.
John Oldenski is retired from Zurn’s.
Mr. and Mrs. Oldenski were very active at St. Stanislaus for many years, from serving on various committees to singing on the choir. Today, they are usually at St. Stan’s for daily Mass and then go to Tim Hortons where they keep in touch with everyone.
*John and Joan Oldenski were blessed with four daughters:
-Paula Oldenski Dworakowski (husband, Russell; children Andrea and Erin.)
Andrea Dworakowski Wallis (husband, Dave; children Cooper and Andrew.)
Erin Dworakowski Ross (husband, Greg.)
-Stephanie Oldenski Wycech (husband, Bill.)
-Deborah Oldenski (who has been the Secretary at St. Stanislaus Parish since 1991.)
-Monice Oldenski Urbaniak (husband, Paul; child John Paul married wife Miranda.)
Mr. and Mrs. Oldenski were very active at St. Stanislaus for many years, from serving on various committees to singing on the choir. Today, they are usually at St. Stan’s for daily Mass and then go to Tim Hortons where they keep in touch with everyone.
*John and Joan Oldenski were blessed with four daughters:
-Paula Oldenski Dworakowski (husband, Russell; children Andrea and Erin.)
Andrea Dworakowski Wallis (husband, Dave; children Cooper and Andrew.)
Erin Dworakowski Ross (husband, Greg.)
-Stephanie Oldenski Wycech (husband, Bill.)
-Deborah Oldenski (who has been the Secretary at St. Stanislaus Parish since 1991.)
-Monice Oldenski Urbaniak (husband, Paul; child John Paul married wife Miranda.)
1990
John and Joan Oldenski at the wedding of their daughter Stephanie to Bill Wycech.
Special thanks to Deborah Oldenski and Stephanie Oldenski Wycech for their cooperation and assistance.
