Genowefa (Pacyga) Zukowski

Genowefa (Pacyga) Zukowski, 94, of Leonardo, passed away, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at Preferred Care at Wall, Wall Township, NJ.  She was the second daughter born to the late Joseph and Stefania Pacyga in Poland.  She was raised on her father’s farm with five sisters and two brothers.  When she was 16, Hitler invaded Poland.  The Nazi’s would take the eldest child as an indentured servant.  She stepped up and indicated that she was the oldest child.  She was taken to Germany from 1939 to 1950, never to return to Poland.  During the war years, she was a servant in a small town for the Mayor.  In order to survive, she learned German quickly so she would not be mistreated and was identified by the letter on her arm.

After the war, she was taken to a U.S. Barracks to vet people.  She met many displaced individuals.  There, she married her husband Joseph and her son Walter was born.  The Allies gave them a choice to go back to Poland, Australia or the United States of America.

In 1950, they came to the United States, sponsored by a family in Brooklyn, NY, via a Navy ship.  They resided with the family and eventually found a Polish Agency, they used to find work to survive.

In 1951, she was hired by Rockefeller Center, NY, first a trial basis cleaner; and then becoming a permanent employee working the night shift from 7PM to 3AM.  They resided in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.   In 1992, she moved to Leonardo, NJ.

Genowefa was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph and her son, Walter.  She is survived by her loving children, Helen Mitarotondo and her husband Ronald of Leonardo and Michael Zukowski of Englewood Cliffs; three cherished grandchildren, Brian, Christopher and Eric; and on adored great grandson, Christian.  She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.

Visitation will take place on Monday, March 12, 2018, from 2-4 & 7-9PM, at Day Funeral Home, 361 Maple Place, Keyport, NJ  07735; and Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 9:15AM at the funeral home, with a 10AM Funeral Mass at St. Joseph RC Church, Keyport.  Interment to follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens, Queens, NY.  You may post a condolence to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home at www.dayfuneralhome.com.

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