Obituary for Thomas C. Wilczewski
Thomas C. Wilczewski, 76, of Long Branch, died on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch.
He was born and raised in Jersey City before moving to Long Branch thirty-one years ago.
Tom Wilczewski was stricken with polio two months before his fifth birthday and was confined to an iron lung for over a year.
He graduated from A. Harry Moore High School in Jersey City. After graduation, he was unable to find a job because prospective employers could not see beyond his wheelchair.
Tom persevered and founded Wilczewski Engraving with his brother Ed, which they successfully operated for over thirty-five years.
After he retired, he became an award-winning self-taught watercolor artist. Tom was inspired by local beaches, gardens and water views. He illustrated a book of his poetry and wrote a watercolor workbook to help teach others how to paint.
Many of his paintings were used for greeting cards, brochures and calendars by organizations including the Christopher Reeve Foundation, Very Special Arts, the New Jersey Polio Network and he was featured on the 2003 Easter Seals.
Tom was a Past President of the Art Society of Monmouth County, a member of the New York and New Jersey American Artists’ Professional League, and an Associate member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society and the Garden State Watercolor Society. Tom was an honored member of the Guild of Creative Art, where he exhibited his work and taught watercolor painting classes.
Tom was elected to the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Polio Society and was a former editor of their newsletter. He established Jersey City’s first advocacy office for people with physical challenges.
His second book, “An Abled Life: Challenging the Limits of Polio,” was published in 2018. Tom lived a remarkable, abled life despite the challenges that he faced every day.
Tom was predeceased by his beloved wife, Antoinette (Toni) Wilczewski; parents, Charles and Alice Chucta Wilczewski; brothers Edwin and Stephen. Surviving are his nieces, Kristine Barbera and Susan Early; his nephews Mark, David, Peter and Josh Wilczewski and Peter Barbera; his cousins Bob Olen and Janet Abbattista; his loving companion Daisy, in-laws Phillip and Marie Barbera, and many friends who loved him dearly.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2:00-6:00 pm Friday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 882 Broadway, West Long Branch. Funeral Mass will be offered at 9:30 am Saturday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Long Branch followed by entombment at Woodbine Mausoleum in Oceanport. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.
He was born and raised in Jersey City before moving to Long Branch thirty-one years ago.
Tom Wilczewski was stricken with polio two months before his fifth birthday and was confined to an iron lung for over a year.
He graduated from A. Harry Moore High School in Jersey City. After graduation, he was unable to find a job because prospective employers could not see beyond his wheelchair.
Tom persevered and founded Wilczewski Engraving with his brother Ed, which they successfully operated for over thirty-five years.
After he retired, he became an award-winning self-taught watercolor artist. Tom was inspired by local beaches, gardens and water views. He illustrated a book of his poetry and wrote a watercolor workbook to help teach others how to paint.
Many of his paintings were used for greeting cards, brochures and calendars by organizations including the Christopher Reeve Foundation, Very Special Arts, the New Jersey Polio Network and he was featured on the 2003 Easter Seals.
Tom was a Past President of the Art Society of Monmouth County, a member of the New York and New Jersey American Artists’ Professional League, and an Associate member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society and the Garden State Watercolor Society. Tom was an honored member of the Guild of Creative Art, where he exhibited his work and taught watercolor painting classes.
Tom was elected to the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Polio Society and was a former editor of their newsletter. He established Jersey City’s first advocacy office for people with physical challenges.
His second book, “An Abled Life: Challenging the Limits of Polio,” was published in 2018. Tom lived a remarkable, abled life despite the challenges that he faced every day.
Tom was predeceased by his beloved wife, Antoinette (Toni) Wilczewski; parents, Charles and Alice Chucta Wilczewski; brothers Edwin and Stephen. Surviving are his nieces, Kristine Barbera and Susan Early; his nephews Mark, David, Peter and Josh Wilczewski and Peter Barbera; his cousins Bob Olen and Janet Abbattista; his loving companion Daisy, in-laws Phillip and Marie Barbera, and many friends who loved him dearly.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2:00-6:00 pm Friday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 882 Broadway, West Long Branch. Funeral Mass will be offered at 9:30 am Saturday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Long Branch followed by entombment at Woodbine Mausoleum in Oceanport. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.