John Andrew Bielski

John Andrew Bielski, 56, of 74 Cemetery Road, Limestone, died Saturday, June 5, 2010, at the Clarion Hospital after a 20-month battle with cancer. Born May 11, 1954, in the Kittanning Hospital, he was the son of Paul J. Bielski Sr. and Ann Turko Bielski of Ford City. John attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and was a graduate of the Ford City High School Class of 1972. John worked at Pullman Standard in Butler, then in construction, building and remodeling homes, as well as working on commercial high rise buildings. Most recently he helped in caring for his mother. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a member of Christ Prince of Peace Parish in Ford City and more recently attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion. He was an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary. In his earlier years, he was a member of the former St. Francis of Paola Church in Ford City where he was an altar server, lector, and a member of the choir. In the early 1970s, he was president of St. Mary Catholic Youth Organization in Ford City. John was previously very involved in programs for youth in the YMCA, where hew as on the swim team, a lifeguard, and swim instructor. On the weekends he was a DJ for their dances. Mr. Bielski was also a Boy Scout. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 174 in Indiana, the American Legion Post No. 0117 in Butler, and has dual membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 606 in Ford City and Aerie No. 3807 in Clarion. He was also a member of the Ukrainian National Alliance. John enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, playing pool, taking long rides and socializing with friends, especially at the Clarion Eagles. John is survived by his fiancée, Donna Reynolds of Limestone; his mother, Ann Bielski of Ford City; a sister, Mary Sharon Steighner and her husband, Donald, of Kittanning; three brothers, Paul Bielski Jr. and his wife, JoAnn, of Glenelg, MD, Donald Bielski and his wife, Sherri, of Youngstown, OH, and Michael Bielski and his wife, Cindy, of McVeytown; his godchildren and nephews, Paul Bielski III of York and Timothy Bielski of Youngstown, OH; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Because he had no children of his own, he had a special fondness for all his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Bielski Sr. Private services will be held at the St. Francis Cemetery in Cadogan at the convenience of the family. A Catholic Mass of remembrance will be held at a later date at Christ Prince of Peace Church in Ford City. Notes of remembrance may be addressed to Donna Reynolds, P.O. Box 52, Limestone, PA 16234.

John Andrew Bielski

May 11, 1954 - June 5, 2010