Boguslaw B. Cioth

Bogusław “Bogie” Bartłomiej Cioth, beloved husband of the late Helena Maria Sokołowska Cioth, lived a remarkable 101 years across multiple countries during both wartime and peace. He made impressive contributions to the aerospace industry, excelled at sports, and developed considerable skill in art. However, he will be most affectionately remembered for his love of family, the special nicknames he had for each of his children, and the gleam in his eyes whenever his children or grandchildren were near. He displayed a warm and friendly demeanor to everyone, an unwavering sense of curiosity, and a constant perspective of gratitude.

Born in Warsaw, Poland, as a young man Bogie joined the Polish underground resistance known as Armia Krajowa, The Home Army, and fought in the Warsaw Uprising during World War II, for which he was later honored by the Polish government. After the war, he relocated to England, where he met and married Helena. He also pursued his love of drawing and machines to obtain a mechanical engineering degree from the University of London, graduating in 1955.

In 1957, Bogie, Helena and their firstborn child immigrated to America, full of hope for the opportunities and better weather that this country offered. They settled in Southern California where they raised four children. In 2013, they moved to San Jose, California.

Throughout his life, Bogie had a deep fascination for the workings of outer space. He applied his degree to a career in aerospace; his work spanned several exciting and vital phases of America’s space program. From the early 1960s to the late 1980s, Bogie made important contributions to the Apollo moon missions, the Apollo-Soyuz joint venture, and the American satellite initiatives. His name is among those commemorated with a plaque placed on the moon as well as on the honor wall at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Virginia.

Bogie was an avid sportsman. He excelled at swimming and skiing and enjoyed teaching tennis to his children and later, grandchildren, cheering them on in local and national competitions. They recall the countless hours he devoted to their tennis practices which often ended by gobbling down donuts or Marie Callender pies. In retirement, Bogie took up golf and became a prolific painter; he displayed some of his hundreds of landscapes and family portraits at community art shows. He also had a passion for languages, particularly Italian, which he cultivated as a prisoner of war in Italy. Family and friends remember how often he sang “Volare” and listened to recordings of the Italian opera singer Mario Lanza.

Bogie was both amazed by and grateful for each aspect of his long life. But most significantly, each day he thanked God for his family. He inspired them and others with his optimistic approach in life.

Bogie is deeply missed by his children Renata (Randy) Mulder, Adam (Beth Cobert), Alex (Allison) and Greg (Cathy) and 10 grandchildren: Peter, Jeremy (Allison), Talia, Leah (Stephen) Henrici, David, Elisabeth, Katie, Courtney, Morgan and Connor.

The Funeral Mass is on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 2pm at Holy Family Church, 4848 Pearl Avenue, San Jose, CA.

Bogie’s family offers heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Brookdale Senior Living, in particular Nora, Marie, Gina, Gladys, and Maria, and the hospice team. In lieu of flowers, Bogie’s family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Polish American Association at www.polish.org.