Catholic 01

Stefan W. Skielnik

December 28, 1925 ~ August 11, 2021 (age 95) 95 Years Old
Read more about the life story of Stefan and share your memory.    
Obituary Image

Obituary

Stefan W. Skielnik, age 95, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 with his loving family by his side.

Lt. Stefan W. Skielnik was born in Gdynia, Poland on December 28, 1925.  He was a dedicated soldier during WWII.  Following the bombing of Gdynia in 1939, Stefan spent time in a German labor camp at the same time the Germans annexed the northern part of Poland.  In 1943, he was conscripted into the German Navy. In 1944 he was sent to the French Riviera to serve on a torpedo boat.  The same year he was taken prisoner of war by the French and American armies after which he volunteered for the Polish army.  He served in the English army from 1946 to 1948 obtaining the rank of Lieutenant.  From 1948-1958, Stefan joined the Merchant Navy sailing on both American and British ships.   

In 1958, he came to the United States and started his own business as a contractor. One of Stefan’s momentous experiences was becoming a US citizen in 1972. Stefan retired after 30 plus years working for the Raskob Foundation as an advisor for the preservation of historical buildings.   

In 2012, the City Council of Gdynia, Poland, “Hometown of Stefan Skielnik” passed a resolution to name a street, “Stefan Skielnik” in his honor.

For his wartime service, Stefan received many Polish and British decorations.  In July 2021 Stefan received the Commander of Polonia Restituta award given to him by the President of Poland.  This Polish state order is given for extraordinary and distinguished service.  He was called a “local treasure” by Mayor Purzycki in 2017.  

During his life, he was honored by the Polish American Congress for outstanding contributions to Polish and American communities.  Through the span of years, Stefan served as lobbyist on Poland’s behalf in Washington, DC and in the State of Delaware.  He was a member of the Polish Army Veterans Association Post 12, Bensalem, PA.  

His humanitarian efforts included a fundraiser for the Saint Wawryzniec Hospice for Terminally Ill Children in Gdynia.  The fundraiser was a success and continues today with yearly shipments of goods and treats for the children.

Stefan is survived by his beloved wife of eight years, Vicky (Montgomery) Collins; his son, Mark Skielnik (Sandy); his daughter, Susan A. Clark (Greg); his four grandchildren; his seven great-grandchildren; and his brother, Antoni Skielnik (Betty).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, August 18 at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10:30 AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Nemours Children’s Hospital, 1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803 or Ronald McDonald House, 1907 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803 to continue Stefan’s legacy of helping children.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stefan W. Skielnik, please visit our floral store.


Services

Visitation
Wednesday
August 18, 2021

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
St. John the Beloved Church
907 Milltown Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday
August 18, 2021

11:30 AM
St. John the Beloved Church
907 Milltown Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

Private Interment

Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
profile

In Loving Memory Of

Stefan Skielnik

December 28, 1925-August 11, 2021




Look inside to read what others
have shared

Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event

profile

In Loving Memory Of

Stefan Skielnik

December 28, 1925-August 11, 2021




Look inside to read what others have shared


Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


Donations

Nemours Children's Hospital
1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington DE 19803

Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
1901 Rockland Rd., Wilmington DE 19803

SHARE OBITUARY

© 2023 John F. Yasik Funeral Services. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility