John Martin Koscik

Our dad was born on November 10, 1929 to Helen Fayarchok and Michael Koscik, in Yorkville, NYC (321 East 71st St between 1st and 2nd Ave). He was the oldest of 7 siblings, some of which have passed on.

Our father quit school at the beginning of 9th grade to help his parents provide for their family. His 1st job was at age 13 where he delivered groceries for a local grocer. Dad was later entrusted with opening/closing the store. At age 17, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines where he passed all necessary testing (Morse code, knot making, boating exams). After 5 months, our father was going to be sent to Japan. He did not want to go and had his mother sign him out since he was not yet 18. Dad returned to the grocery store until his 18th birthday. His father secured a job for him at Washburn Wire Factory, on 117th Street and East River Drive, where he remained for 3 years. Dad played minor league baseball for the Boston Braves in 1951, which he was incredibly proud of. He quit after 10 days though as management wanted him to play in Canada for $50 per month, meanwhile, he had been making $55 per week at his previous job. Our father was drafted into the Army in May 1951 (he was 21 years old) and trained at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He spent the next 5 months at Fort Dix, NJ where he played regimental baseball. Dad suffered a knee injury and was discharged. He loved working on cars and thought of a possible occupation as an auto mechanic. Our father attended the Bronx Vocational School, via the GI Bill of Rights, and was trained in all things car related. The pay was not adequate, so Dad got a job with Santa Pia Wine & Liquor, driving trucks, from ages 21-22. Dad found driving relaxing and it helped him learn the 5 boroughs. After some time passed, our father sought employment elsewhere and was a payroll clerk at 42nd St and the Lincoln Building for a few months. At 23 years old, Dad commenced his career path in insulation. He was hired at Matthew Ballage Insulation where, while mastering the trade (pipe covering/insulation), he continued to drive trucks. Our father remained with Matthew Ballage Insulation for the following 22 years (ages 23 through 45). It was during this time he was highly influenced/mentored by a man named John Mazur. Dad respected his mentor and held him in the highest regard. They became close friends and cherished family time together. Our father actually spoke with Mr. Mazur not too long ago and noted what a feat it was that his mentor, being 100+ years old, still had all of his faculties and recognized Dad’s voice. Our father thought he would remain working alongside Mr. Mazur for life but, instead, rose in the ranks and became a Foreman. Dad retired in 1976 and started his own insulation business - Seven K’s Insulation (named after the 7 members of his immediate family). He enjoyed 31 years of being his own boss and officially retired, for good, in 2007.

Our father met his future wife, our mom, Anna Palumbo, in 1953-54 and they were married on September 24, 1955. They birthed 5 of us and Dad lovingly used nicknames he assigned when seeking our attention (you will see them in parenthesis below) - Donna (Dawn), Johnny (Johnny boy), Patti (Patuticha), Lisa (Winnie), and Danielle (Little Poops).

Our mother and father divorced in 1984. Dad resided at our childhood home on Mike Lane, in Smithtown, NY until 1992 when he relocated to Cape Coral, Florida. He initially moved to help care for his ailing mother but was then blessed meeting the love of his life, his soulmate, Muldoon, at a country line dancing class. Dad and Muldoon were married on February 11, 1995. They were fortunate enough to have 23 years together before Muldoon fell ill and passed away in 2018. Our father was heartbroken but knew Muldoon would want him to go on.

Personally, Dad possessed a magnetic personality. He drew people in with his charisma, kindness, charm, generosity, humor, and love. It was all so innate and easy for him. People enjoyed being in his orbit. Our father loved to dance and took every opportunity to do so. He was often referred to as Fred Astaire because of his slick moves on the dance floor. Dad grew up playing stickball, box-ball, stoopball, kick the can, Johnny on a pony, baseball, and football in the streets of Harlem. Comic books were his favorite as a kid. He spent much of his free time, as an adolescent, at the local candy store or pool hall surrounded by friends. Our father was known to take his boss’s car for a spin while he was napping and teach himself to drive a stick-shift. Dad didn’t start dating until he was 19-20. His nickname around the neighborhood was Johnny Hop and he absolutely loved it. Our father and his buddies would often spend lazy summer days jumping off the city bridges into the Hudson River. Orchard Beach, in the Bronx, was another popular hangout. He spent many a night at the Copacabana. At the age of 21 was when Dad hooked up his 1st telephone and television. His favorite shows were Texaco, Carol Burnett, The Shadow, The Hangout and The Green Hornet. Our father loved to watch his western movies when he had free time. His first car was a checkered cab that he paid $90 for. Dad loved 50s music, Elvis, Sinatra, Frankie Lane, Frankie Avalon, and The Rat Pack. He listened to music in the juke box at the candy store and and danced the Jitterbug, Mambo, and Rumba. He helped Grandma with her janitorial duties in his building (changing coals 3 times per day). Our father believed in working hard, providing for his family, and respecting your elders. He raised us kids with a strong faith in God. Dad woke in the middle of the night when we were sick and cared for us. Our father loved to drive us and the grand kiddies around in his limo. Dad’s favorite car was a Cadillac. He raced a 1941 Buick Convertible on Bruckner Blvd every now and then. Our father took much pride in his appearance and would not leave the house unless every hair was in place (by Wild Root), was dressed to the nines and smelt of Paul Sebastian cologne. Our father loved to spoil those he loved just because he could. He helped us purchase our first homes. Dad ensured his grandchildren had their own wooden playhouses for their backyard fun. He cherished times spent in his own yard, which he lovingly referred to as “John’s Club Med.” There was a built-in pool, gazebo, outdoor bathroom, jacuzzi, custom kitchen which included a top-of-the-line grill, refrigerator, and a black and white soda machine. Our family would get together every weekend and enjoy the amenities and family time. It is one of our most treasured memories with Dad. Our father was known to offer rides to hitchhikers because his need to help overcame the issue of safety. He purchased a disco-tech in St. James, NY entitled “Cloud 9” where we all fondly danced the nights away while Dad blissfully looked on. Our father did not think twice about driving from Long Island to the Bronx, where his mother in-law resided, so she could spend the weekends at our home. He introduced us and the grandkids to skiing. Dad made sure he was early to pick up our youngest sibling, Danielle, from extracurricular activities because she had friends whose parents forgot about them. The first car Dad ever saw was on his block in 1946. When WW11 ended, he went to Broadway with his friend and celebrated. There were thousands of people celebrating alongside him.

Our father was a flirt! Always charmed the ladies but was respectful. He had a license plate that read “Spoiled Rotten” because he knew he was and owned it. Dad pampered Muldoon and made sure she never had to want for anything (love, affection, respect, kindness, material items, etc). He demanded excellence from us in the form of behavior/manners. Our father treasured time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He would take 10-mile walks around the neighborhood, whistling, delighting in nature. Dad pulled a gun on our youngest sibling’s future husband both as a joke and to scare him a little bit. He employed family members when they were struggling financially, as a means of help and support. Dad sang “happy birthday” to his children every year on their special day. He wiped his daughters’ tears away when relationships and marriages broke up. Our father was a fierce protector. He took his grandchildren on long walks so their parents could have a break. Dad ensured each of us partook in saying the rosary when my grandma visited. He prayed daily for all of us.

He was a true gentleman through and through.

Anyone who knew our father knew he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. Dad was predeceased by his father Michael, mother Helen, brother Georgie, brother Michael, sister Theresa, wife Muldoon, grandson Michael, and granddaughter Lynda. Our father is survived by all of us children, Donna (Frank), Johnny (Jeanne), Patti (Hugh), Lisa, and Danielle (Drew). Grandchildren - Jamie (Barbara), Jill (Steve), Erin (Kyle), Brittany, Courtney (Danny), Sean, Nicholas (Michele), Michele, and Maggie. Great grandchildren - Nicole (Mike), Dylan, Jordyn, Jake, Hailey, Carter, Elijah, Wyatt, Landon, Bentley, and Harley.

Services will be a funeral mass held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 10am, at St Cecilias Church, 5632 Sunrise Dr., Ft Myers 33919. The Interment will be held at Coral Ridge Cemetery in Cape Coral. Should you like to contribute in some way, prayers for our father would be greatly appreciated. A donation to your local church or St. Cecilia’s (mentioned above) would have made our father smile as well.