John Podboreski

Reidsville: John Podboreski, Jr., 95, of 248 Link Rd. went home to be with his heavenly Father on Monday, November 3, 2014 at the Hospice Home of Rockingham County. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Wilkerson Funeral Home in Reidsville followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM with Mr. Shannon Newsome officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Memory Gardens in Reidsville after the service with military graveside rites. John was born on January 1, 1919 in West Easton, PA to the late John and Rosalie Podboreski. His mother and father emigrated to the US from Poland in 1911, and he grew up on a dairy farm with twelve siblings: four brothers and eight sisters. He learned the meaning of hard work that stuck with him the rest of his life. He was a veteran serving in the US Army during WWII. While stationed in San Antonio, Texas, he met a pretty, young lady from Hugo, Oklahoma – Evelyn, his wife of 71 years. John was involved in active combat in Europe. He used his knowledge of the Polish and Ukrainian languages as an interpreter including translating for a Russian high ranking officer at a dinner. He also translated for prisoners being released from concentration camps at the end of the war hearing first-hand accounts of the atrocities experienced there. During his early years, John worked in the hosiery industry in both Pennsylvania and Madison, NC as a fixer and supervisor and ended his career of over 19 years from 1965 to 1985 at Burlington Industries. He built his own home on River Road in Stoneville during that period. Moving to Reidsville, NC in 1995, he accepted Christ at Reidsville Christian Church and was a faithful attendee. He especially loved the men's Sunday school class and poured over the week's lesson to be ready to learn on Sunday morning. John was a member of the American Legion Post 79. John spent his time growing vegetables, working with plant propagation, golfing, solving crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble against the computer. He had a strong mind even at age 95 noted by his uncanny ability to put exact days of the week and dates to most events in his life. He loved working with his tools and his hands and could make anything he set his mind to. He enjoyed making airplanes and ships for people out of aluminum cans. A generous man, he was known to slip individuals $20 bills when he wanted to show his appreciation for their help. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, David Brandon Sechrest; brothers, Walter Podboreski and Joseph Podboreski; sisters, Ann Gonski, Catherine Feinstein, Jane Matusik, and Mary Saveri. John is survived by his wife, Evelyn Morton Podboreski of the home; daughters, Linda P. Gibson of Raleigh, NC, Pat P. Sechrest and husband, John of Reidsville, NC, Cindy P. Fox and husband, Jay Kyne, of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Kelly Stone Revels and husband, Justin of Mooresville, NC; and great grandchildren, Greyson, Zachary, Jacob and Kamryn Revels; sisters, Helen Antoniewski of Bangor, PA, Olga Korzenowski of Martin’s Creek, PA, Elizabeth Grudinski of California, Gloria Scott of Bangor, PA; brothers, Michael Podboreski of Marion, SC and Francis Podboreski of Bangor, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Reidsville Christian Church, 2020 South Park Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320 or Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.