Aleksander A. Piatek

Aleksander Piatek, 26, died on April 24 after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family at his parents’ home in New City. His family and friends are grateful he is no longer suffering, and that having known and loved him was one of life’s greatest blessings.

Aleks was born on October 15, 1998, to Maria (Saraiva) and Bogdan Piatek. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Fiorella, older brother Krystian Piatek and wife Tiffiney, and his nephews Xander, Liam, Alec and niece Reagan. Aleks will be missed by his grandfather, Antonio DosSantos, his aunts and uncles, Eligiusz and Bozena Piatek, Patrocinia and Mario Martins, Isabel and Julio Martins, Lucinda and Kevin Albanese, Teresa and Jorge Matias, Emily DaCosta, Lurdes and Frank Amico, and Jose Luis and Juliann DosSantos. He will forever be remembered by his cousins with whom he was very close. Aleks was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Richard and Sophie Piatek, and maternal grandmother Lourdes DosSantos.

Aleks attended St. Augustine Elementary School in New City. He earned his high school diploma from Paramus Catholic Regional, where he met his wife, Fiorella Sandoval in their school’s Japanese club. The two exchanged their vows in a ceremony of partnership at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan on April 5, 2025. Aleks graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Binghamton University, where he earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering. He earned both degrees in four years, an astonishing feat as he underwent chemo and radiation therapies during his studies.

In 2023, Aleks moved to Chicago and began working as an associate engineer at Sargent & Lundy's Electric Grid Infrastructure Services group. He moved back to the family home at the end of 2024 for treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Although Aleks endured many hardships in his battle with cancer, his positive attitude and spirit never waned. He was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma at age 17. Even with the obstacles that his cancer and its treatment caused, Aleks was determined to continue the martial arts he loved. He did so under the study of two of his teachers, Matsuda Sensei and Toyoda Sensei. Thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation, he traveled to Japan to practice Aikido, accompanied by his parents and brother. He was also active at the Aikido club at SUNY Binghamton. Aikido was an important part of Aleks life and greatly contributed to the warrior spirit he was known for. He continued with the practice of Aikido until the last weeks of his life.

One thing Aleks enjoyed most was spending time with his older brother Krystian. As competitive strategists, the two would often play board and card games. While in the hospital, they were happily able to share a night together for a bachelor party, playing the games they had enjoyed since childhood.

Aleks will forever remain a role model for his ability to embrace joy and live to the fullest in every circumstance. A considerate soul, he always thought of others before himself. A last request he made of his beloved mother was that his father would be cared for, and to teach his wife to cook and crochet. Fiorella remained at her husband's bedside, sharing high school memories and stories of their time together in Chicago.

Aleks had the heart of a warrior and the mind of a scientist and he faced each obstacle with steadfast determination, focus and calm fortitude. He chose to be cremated and laid to rest with the ashes of his childhood dogs, Bella and Mia, and asked that a tree be planted at the site.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Aleksander Piatek’s name to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s pediatric cancer research.

For donations online, click link below:

https://secure2.convio.net/mskcc/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=4282&px=3697316

If donating by check, please mail to:

Community Fundraising

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development

P.O. Box 27106

New York, New York 10087

Please indicate on the check memo line that the gift is in memory of Aleksander Piatek.

A Wake will be held at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main Street, New City, N.Y., 10956, with visiting hours on Thursday, May 1, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a service at 7 p.m.