Obituary of Peter J. Bartkowiak

Peter J. Bartkowiak passed away peacefully at his home in Denville surrounded by his family at the age of 79.

Born and raised in Syracuse, NY, he moved to the Indian Lake section of Denville, New Jersey in 1972

Peter earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering from S.U.N.Y. Maritime College and received his US Coast Guard License as a Third Assistant Engineer.

He worked for over 30 years as an Engineer in performance design and analysis of steam generators and other designs firing pulverized coal, oil, natural gas and other fuels, including sizing analysis and review of auxiliaries and ancillary systems. Working for Various U.S. Shipping Lines and Carrier Air Conditioning Corporation in Syracuse, NY in the late 1960’s, and then at Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation in Clinton, NJ from 1971 until his retirement as Director of Engineering Projects in 2002.

He was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Denville, He joined the Knights of Columbus on April 20, 1980.  He took his 2^nd degree in May 1981, 3^rd degree in June 1981 and became a Sir Knight with his 4^th degree in April 1985.Since that time he has had an outstanding record with the Order.  He entered the Council chairs as Warden in 1982 and served as Recorder, Deputy Grand Knight and Grand Knight for the 1990-1991 calendar years.  He has been serving as Treasurer from 2008 to the present.  As Grand Knight the Council not only won the Columbia and Founders award but received the award for the highest percentage increase in insurance for the entire State of New Jersey.  Besides chairing the Drive for Persons with mental disabilities he was involved with the 35^th and 40^th Anniversary Celebration of Our Lady of the Lakes Council. 

He has worked the St. Clare’s Harvest Festival, marched in the Right to Life March in Washington D.C., the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Denville, has attended every Federation Mass for the unborn, represented the council at Paterson Federation meetings and has been the council delegate at the state convention.

Peter was elected Navigator of the Walter J. Barrett Assembly for the 1995-1996 Columbian Year, he has also served as Pilot, Captain and Admiral and Comptroller for the Assembly.  He was appointed District Deputy by PSD Joseph Cummings in 1996 and served until 1998 when he was appointed State Director of Service Programs by State Deputy Donald Ryan. In 2002 he was elected Vice Chairman of the Paterson Federation where he was Master of Ceremonies for the annual Scholarship Brunch.

Peter was part of the first certified 1^st degree team in the Paterson Diocese in January 1982 when the new degrees were introduced. Besides being degree team captain for 15 years he has done the parts of Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and Chancellor.

Peter was invited to join the 4^th degree team in 1988 as Expositor of the Constitution for the Third NJ District. As a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Denville, he served on the Finance Committee, Usher, and Senior Server.  He also served on the parish census and diocesan fund drive as co-chairman.

His achievements have been many, he was President of the National Honor Society, played varsity basketball, and held several track records.

Along with all of his degree work he has also been recognized with the Family of the year 1987-1988, Family of the Month February 1990, June 1993, and April 1995.  Paterson Federation Knight of the Year 1998, Alexander Anderson Memorial Award 2003 and 2001 for degree work.

Peter also enjoyed travelling and going on cruises with his wife Carol, their favorite cruises were to Alaska.  In his spare time, he enjoyed wood working and photography.

He was predeceased by his son Thomas P. Bartkowiak in 2020.

Peter is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Carol (Seminara) Bartkowiak of Denville, and his loving son Jeffrey and his wife Carmen Bartkowiak of Denville, NJ, as well as his adoring grandchildren Isabella, Eva and Owen Bartkowiak, and his brother Carl and his wife Debbie Bartkowiak of Syracuse, NY and his sister Margaret Wille of Pheonix, AZ.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday June 18, 2024, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday June 18, at 10:00AM at St. Mary’s Church

(In the School Gymnasium) 15 Myers Avenue Denville.

Memorial Donations can be made in his memory to: St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Lake Council #3359 by way of www.inmemof.com.