Henryk Julian Bukowski

Henryk Julian Bukowski of Falls Church, VA, entered his eternal reward on April 18, 2024, in the presence of his loving family. Born on May 11, 1920, to Karolina and John Buczkowski of Central Falls, RI, Captain Bukowski was a first-generation American with strong Polish roots and a rich life, well-lived. After graduating at age 20 from Brown University with a degree in Engineering, Henryk entered the Army. Within two years, Henryk was sent to the European theatre, fighting with the elite 36th Engineer Combat Group in World War II. Though Henryk was hesitant to talk about his service, his awestruck family remained inspired. Henryk spoke fluent French, Polish, and English, and his services as an interpreter were useful during the war. Henryk spent time in France, Siberia, Poland, and Germany during the war, and received training in things as diverse as building igloos (he spent 2 winters in the Arctic), operating bulldozers, and parachuting. Henryk also served his country as an officer during the Korean War, as a civil servant during the Vietnam War making multiple trips to Vietnam. Henryk was appointed to the inaugural Senior Executive Services during the Carter administration. As a veteran of three wars and a long-time civil servant, Henryk was a true patriot. By the time he retired from the Civil Service, he was equivalent to a 3-star general. Henryk was also a man of incredible dedication, discipline, and endurance, showing immense joy for living that assuredly contributed to his rich long life. Long into his older years, Henryk was in incredible physical shape. He was an avid tennis player and runner, running marathons into his 80’s (and running the Marine Corps Marathon many times throughout his life), shorter 5 and 10K’s into his 90’s, and sticking to a routine of 100s of push-ups and sit-ups well into his 90s. And for many years, he enjoyed running along his beloved Outer Banks beaches while vacationing with his ever expanding family. He could often be found on the tennis court, enjoying a match with one of his 8 children. Most important of all, though, Henryk was a man of faith and a devoted husband and father. In 1954, Henryk met and married the love of his life Marion Rarene (Colson) Bukowski. Hank (as Rarene affectionately called him) and Rarene had 8 children in 13 years, including 6 in a 7-year period and 3 born in 1957! God bless Rarene! Henryk was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rarene, his son Petryk, and his sister Irene. He is survived by his children: Janryk (Therese), Deryk (Denise), Rena (Gerry) Balestrieri, Tina (Rob) Fisher, Minet (Dave) Taylor, Janina (Dan) Hedges, and Aniela (Fred) Conner; his 15 grandchildren: Chris (Andrea), Megan (Mike) Reese, Eryka (John) O’Herron, Alexandra, Nicholas (Anne), Tiffany, Josh (Jen), Darby, Adam (Tricia) Fisher, Erin (Lucas) Busch, Emily, Leah, Samantha, Aidan, and Lauren; and his 30 great-grandchildren: Mia, Sebastjan, Gavin, Jacob, Emma, Ronan, Baby, William, Elisabeth, Kate, Finn, Sophia, Luke, Lucy, Cecilia, Jude, Simon, Vincent, Samuel, Madeline, Amelia, Gabriella, Theodora, Henryk, Cora, John Arthur, Brooke, Lilian Kate, Banks, and Brody. The only things Henryk loved more than his country were God and his family, and he lived a life of faith and devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Fondly known as "Da," Henryk was much beloved by his large family and loved them all deeply. They will greatly miss him and we "will be loving you," Da. As Da always said, "God is great over us! Amen! God bless our whole family!" Please join us in praying for the repose of Henryk's soul: Eternal rest grant unto Henryk, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. The family will receive guests at a wake and Rosary on Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 4-8 PM at Murphy's Funeral Home (1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA). A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (1020 Spring Vale Road, Great Falls, VA) on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11 AM. A video of Henryk’s 101st birthday with a veteran parade can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/2zHbPWyir9Y?si=Pizyyc lAoA1qsF_y In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations in his honor may be made to the high school his granddaughter helped found: Cardinal Newman Academy, P.O. Box 72903, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. www.cardinalnewmanacademy.org.