My friend Joe Owsianik passed away today...

[seesul]

Dear all,

I´m writting you this with tears in my eyes- I just had a call from Nic Mevoli, that his grandpa, Joe Owsianik, passed away today. Most of you know that we (Anton and me) have visited him few weeks ago. I saw him for a last time on Tuesday 12 and it was very emotional for me and I´m sure for Joe too.
For those who don´t know his story- Joe was waist gunner on a B-17G and served at 15th USAAF, 2nd BG, 20th Sqdn. On Aug 29, 1944, his 35th mission, his B-17G was shot down and he was forced to bail out, landed few miles away from my born town on his parachute, was captured by Germans and spent the rest of the war at Stalag Luft IV. He got in touch with me in 2004 and we became MORE THAN FRIENDS thru an intensive E-mail exchange. He visited us twice, in 2005 and 2007 and we visited him twice too, in 2006 for a first time and now, few weeks ago, for a second time.
He and his family will stay in my heart forever!
May he rest in peace.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/myc...&pid=146406072

Blue skies my friend, Jersey Joe!



Roman

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/per...and-26596.html (Pics from our visit of New Jersey, N.Y.C. and Long Island)
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/bas...joe-25726.html (Flying to N.Y.C. to see my friend Joe!)
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/avi...g-11209-2.html
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/avi...ears-9298.html (Willi Reschke & Joe Owsianik -meeting after 63 years)
We haven´t forgotten- commemoration of Aug. 29th, 1944

[B-17engineer]

Wow Roman I'm glad you got to see him one last time.

[seesul]

Me too Harry, me too. I only didn´t expect it so soon.
Joe was like a grandpa to me. More than a friend.

[Gnomey]

Very sad to hear Roman. Very glad you got to see him one last time.

[wheelsup_cavu]

I was not expecting to see this when I logged in today.
My condolences to you and his family Roman.


Wheels

[ToughOmbre]

Very sorry for the loss of your friend Roman.

The memory of your friendship will always be with you.

To waist gunner Joe......



TO

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Very sad news Roman. He will not be forgotten though because of folks like you.

[FLYBOYJ]

Sorry to hear about this Roman.

[Thorlifter]

I sad to hear that you lost your friend, but how special it must be that you got to visit with him just a few weeks ago!

[RabidAlien]

My prayers with you, your family, and Joe's family, Roman. Gone, but not forgotten!

[lesofprimus]

Very sad felt emotions over this, my best you and to his family Roman...

[Airframes]

Sad, sad news Roman my friend. I've replied to your e-mail, and sent a message to Nic.

[vikingBerserker]

Sorry to hear that Roman.

[Vic Balshaw]

My thoughts are with you Roman and your friend Joe's family. It is nice you were able to visit him not so long back and that is a memory you can always treasure.

To a comrade in arms:

[seesul]

Thank you fellas for your kind words!
I didn´t sleep too much this night. All the memories were running thru my head.
It´s like I have lost a family member.