John Madzik, age 88 of Ansonia, beloved husband of the late Emilia Kuzmicz Madzik, entered into eternal rest on the eve of Pascha, May 4, 2024, in the comfort of his home. Born on May 25, 1935, he was the son of the late Michael and Anastasia Kuziak Madzik.
Mr. Madzik was raised on his family’s farm in Bortne, Poland, worked as a land surveyor and served as a Corporal in the Polish Army. In 1966, seeking a better life, and with the assistance of John’s brother-in-law, Peter Kuzmicz, he and his young family emigrated to the Western Sydney Suburbs of Australia.
He worked as a pipe layer for the South Wales Water Company and a machinist with Fairfax Ltd. They found the Australian climate undesirable and through the assistance of his older brother, Matthew Madzik, they were able to book passage to the United States of America. In May of 1969, they arrived in the United States of America and settled in Ansonia, CT.
Initially, Mr. Madzik was employed from 1969 — 1991 as a machinist for the Farrel Corporation of Ansonia. In 1991 he obtained employment as a machine repairman at G&O Manufacturing of New Haven. After many years of plying his highly skilled mechanical trade, Mr. Madzik retired in 2004. His mechanical ability and hands-on craftsmanship served him well at his home and at the homes of any friend or neighbor in need of a helping hand.
Mr. Madzik was passionate about his heritage and love for his motherland of Lemkovschina (Lemko Land); and along with that, his research into the people, the customs, and his beloved village of Bortne. His library, his artifacts, and his research notebooks are meticulously kept and were used for anthropogenic research, manuscripts and even a motion picture production that signified the emergence of the Lemko people in the United States.
For many years, Mr. Madzik was a member of the Slavic Studies Group at Southern Connecticut State University and was considered to be a valued ethnic resource. Professors and faculty relied on his advice and counsel. It needs to be recognized that he was singular in his zeal to preserve the memories of Bortne, his home village, and the customs, culture, arts, and history of his cherished Lemko people.
He was a devoted father and husband. He used his technical talents to further this country’s manufacturing base. He was a devoted member of the Eastern Orthodox Church (Three Saints Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of Ansonia, and St. John the Baptist Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of Bridgeport). He was proud to be an active supporter of the Lemko Association of the USA, even having served as its treasurer. But most of all, he was a dear and faithful friend to many.
Mr. Madzik is survived by his devoted son, Paul Madzik of Bethel; sisters, Melania Padolak and Antonia Blaszcak of Poland; and a brother, Joseph Madzik of Poland; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife of 55 years, he was predeceased by an infant son, Stefan Madzik; sisters, Anna Zajac, Maria Zajac, Olena Kicilinski and Theodosia Szach; and brothers, Theodore and Matthew Madzik.
Family and friends may call on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM (Panakhida at 6:30 PM) at the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia. Funeral services will take place from the funeral home on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 9:00 AM. A Requiem Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM in St. John the Baptist Carpatho- Russo Orthodox Church, 364 Mill Hill Avenue, Bridgeport. Interment will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Ansonia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Memory of John Madzik to the charitable organization of one’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.
