Obituary of Sigmund A Ciak

Sigmund Antoni Ciak passed away peacefully in Hackettstown, NJ on Saturday, July 1 st , 2023. Sigmund was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.

Sigmund was born in Newark, NJ. He graduated from Harrison High School, class of 1943. After graduation, he took a train to San Francisco to enlist in the Merchant Marines. He served in the Merchant Marines from 1943 until 1954. During World War II, his work supported the war effort moving supplies, weapons and soldiers all over the world. One of the ships he served on was the USAT Fred C. Ainsworth, a troop transport ship. While in the Marchant Marines he visited many places both near and far; places like Saudi Arabia, Germany, Norway, Guam, Panama, The Philippines, Finland, Japan, the Belgium Congo as well as others. His specialty while at sea was working as an engineer with the boilers in the engine room. This engineering experience helped him later in life.

While in the service, Sigmund saved his money to one day buy some land. At the end of 1953, Sigmund bought a farm in western New Jersey and went back to sea. After leaving the Merchant Marines, he enlisted in the US Army a month later and served as a Corporal in Korea from 1954 until 1956 when he was honorably discharged. While serving in Korea, he came home for his sister’s wedding and met the love of his life, Caroline Wicher. Sigmund married Caroline on January 22, 1955. After being discharged from the Army, they moved to the farm he had bought. They were married 61 years until Caroline passed in 2016.

Sigmund worked as a full time farmer raising cattle and crops. He truly enjoyed working the land. In the mid-60s, he cut back somewhat on the farming and launched a new career. Based on his engineering experience gained while in the Merchant Marines, he got a series of engineering jobs ending up at AT&T. He retired from his Operating Engineer job at AT&T in 1987.

When Sigmund and Caroline added children to the equation, he become a devoted father. First came Irene then Linda followed by Walter and Sigmund. During these years, he always made time for his family. Every year the whole family would load up the camper and hit the road. They went all up and down the east coast as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida. It was always about being with family. When not away on vacation, he enjoyed being home on the farm. He would spend time just ‘puttering’ around the farm.

He could spark up a conversation with anybody. He would hold lengthy conversations on the phone with telemarketers asking how they were doing, how was the weather by them, etc. Most telemarketers would hang up in HIM instead of the other way around! He would wait for the mailman just to have a talk. He would sit outside on ‘Meals on Wheels’ delivery days just to talk to the delivery folks. And they all loved him for it. Above all he was the most loving, laid back, caring, and selfless father/husband/friend/neighbor anyone could ask for and will be deeply missed.

Sigmund’s memory will live on through his children Irene and Robert Breitweiser, Linda and Thomas Warner, Walter and Anne Ciak, and Sigmund Ciak. His loving grandchildren Jeff (Courtney Vavrek) Breitweiser, Eric (Danielle) Breitweiser, Alexander Warner, Nicholas (Holly Anderson) Warner, Grant Ciak, Amy Ciak, Ryan Ciak, and Caitlin Ciak.

A public visitation to honor and celebrate Sigmund will be held on Friday, July 7 th , from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, July 8 th at 10:00AM at Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, 70 Church St, Rockaway, NJ 07866. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations are being accepted to the Gary Sinise Foundation through way of https://inmemof.org/sigmund-ciak. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Sigmund here to continue to celebrate the special life he bestowed upon us.