John Pinkowicz

YORK - John Pinkowicz, 81, of York died March 5th, 2010 at York Hospital following complications after surgery. Mr. Pinkowicz was born November 15th, 1928 in Chester, PA, the sixth child of Ukrainian immigrants. He graduated from Chester High School in 1946 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a Technician Fifth Grade in Missouri from 1946 to 1948. Upon discharge, he eagerly used benefits from the GI Bill to pursue his dream to serve children, attending Millersville State College to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and Temple University for a master's degree in education administration. After teaching for seven years in the Philadelphia area, Mr. Pinkowicz moved to York in 1959 to become the principal of the Grantley, Violet Hill, and Valley View schools in the York Suburban School District. In 1973, he helped to inaugurate the new Indian Rock Elementary School, with its innovative use of team-teaching, as its first principal. He retired in 1986 after 35 years in elementary education, 27 as a principal. In subsequent years, Mr. Pinkowicz tirelessly served the Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society's World's Greatest Yard Sale, and countless projects like the creation of the Springettsbury Playground. He had donated 7 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross in the last 9 years. He insisted on working behind the scenes, refusing positions that would garner recognition. He enjoyed a lifelong interest in theater and traveled extensively in his later years. Born into the Ukrainian Orthodox parish of St. Mary's in Chester, Mr. Pinkowicz became a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church upon arriving in York, then re-joined St. Mary's in 2009. He shied away from receiving attention or credit in his lifetime, and his final wishes, similarly, were that there be no funeral or memorial service at his death. Mr. Pinkowicz was the son of Michael and Anna (Leszczak) Pinkowicz and the brother of Joseph, Marslan, Peter, and Michael Pinkowicz, and Helen Crossan. He is survived by one daughter, Christine A. Pinkowicz, and one granddaughter, Natasha I. Craig, both of Dunellen, NJ. He is also survived by 8 nieces and nephews: Carol Ann Rowlyk of Ridley Park, PA and Jean Nagle of Macungie, PA, who were also his god-daughters, as well as Joseph Pinkowicz of Hellertown, PA; Michael Pinkowicz of Abington, PA; Marcia Wilson of Chatham, Ontario; Barry Pinkowicz of Aston, PA; Karen Coffin of Coatesville, PA; and Matthew Crossan, address unknown. Also, 16 great-nieces/nephews and 9 great-great nieces/nephews. Contributions in his memory may be made to the York Suburban Dollars for Scholars Program. Kindly contact Karen Sides at 848-2814 or mail contributions to the Ronald Provard Educational Center, 1800 Hollywood Drive, York, PA, 17403-4256. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York is in charge of arrangements.