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Continued: He emigrated from Poland in early 1900's, but didn't formally become aU.S. citizen until January 7, 1925. He legally changed his name toJohn Kolaski. His brother Frank used to joke that John chose the nameKolaski because he wanted a name which sounded Irish.
The Polish spelling of his given name was Jan or Jon. There are somecontradictions in the records on file in Trenton, N.J. as to theproper spelling of the original family name. It is probably Kolecka,but in various documents relating to John and his children, the namehas also been listed as Kolecki, Kotecki and Kotecka, all of which arevariations that result from pronunciation differences between theEnglish and Polish languages.
He resided in Trenton, N.J. and worked as an iron worker for NewJersey Seating Co. on Bellevue Ave (which made seats for schoolfurniture) where he became a supervisor.
He had musical talent and constructed his own violin which, with nomusic training, he played "by ear". His daughter, Jean (Kolaski)Denow remembers him playing the violin along with his brother Frankwho played the accordian. She said her father was well respected inthe neighborhood, and that he would sit on the front porch and talkwith neighbors and friends. Saturdays were his day to go out with hisfriends to socialize.
John had good English language capabilities and was an avid reader.
In his later years, he suffered from arthritis and used a cane towalk. He and his wife lived for some time with his daughter Sabina(Sally) and her two daughters in their rented house at 196 Girard Ave. His granddaughter, Dorothy (Raub) Myers remembers him as being kindlyand protective to her, and occasionally giving her money to buychocolate candy.
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