Man of the year 1997

John has served as past president, recording secretary, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the organization.

Born June 28, 1952, the second son of Alfred & Joan Bartosiewicz, John received his grammar school education at Saint Stanislaus Kostka School in Greenpoint, Brook lyn. At the age of five, he displayed a talent for music. Encouraged by his parents who were both members of the St. Cecilia Choir of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, John began taking formal lessons on piano & violin. He performed on piano regularly at school assemblies, graduation ceremonies and special events. He was also a member of the Krakowianki & Gorale Children's Folk Dance Ensemble.

At the age of eleven, Bartosiewicz debuted as a conductor leading the children's choir of St. Stanislaus Kostka School at the Greenpoint Savings Bank during the Christmas Holiday Season. Conducting a group of 75 children from various classes and age groups. John led the singers in renditions of carols in both Polish & English.

The product of a Franciscan education attending St. Francis Preparatory School & St. Francis College in Brooklyn, their values and ideals were instilled in his determination to become instinctive, intuitive, independent and creative in his thinking. In piano competitions sponsored by the music education league at Carnegie Recital Hall, Bartosiewicz received several honors. Taking his piano skills from his teacher, Mae L. Etts, John attended St. Francis Prep where he furthered his music studies and conducting skills under the tutelage of Marcus Cassari and Thomas Foster. He was a member of the Prep's Orchestra, played tuba in the concert band, sousaphone in the military marching band, piano in the swing band and a bass voice in the Glee Club. He was the recipient of National Honor Society Status, held class office and wrote for the school newspaper and yearbook. He was also the recipient of the Marie V. Mc Donald award for excellence in music in his senior year. At St. Francis College, John received the coveted Franciscan Spirit award for his dedication to Franciscan life and the campus community.

In 1967, John Bartosiewicz joined the St. Cecilia Choir of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, as a bass section voice. In 1973, due to a sudden illness, the choir's music director, Reverend Francis Kellner, was not available to conduct the choir at a dedication ceremony commemorating the naming of Monsignor McGoldrick Park in Greenpoint.

Already committed to the event, the choir membership entrusted Bartosiewicz to lead the group at the outdoor performance. The result was a great success and upon the retirement of the choir's organist, professor Konrad Czynski, in 1974, John took over the duties of music director & conductor. What follows remains today in the history & annals of the St. Cecilia Choir. Bartosiewicz broadened the choir's repertoire, transforming it from a church chorus to the level of a performing arts group. Under his aggressive & masterful style of teaching and conducting, the St. Cecilia choir recorded four record albums in a span of eight years. John also served as producer & director on all four recordings.

In the twenty three years that John Bartosiewicz has voluntarily served as music director & conductor, the choir has made numerous television appearances, performed eight times at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, twice at New York City Hall, the Kosciuszko Foundation, the Polish Consulate, the Polish American Museum Foundation in Port Washington, Long Island, the Polish Gift of Life, the Polish Children's Heartline, the Pulaski Association of the New York City Police Department, the Polish American Congress Downstate N.Y. Division, the Polish Apostolate of Priests Association Heritage Month Services, the Pulaski Association of Business & Professional Men Gatherings and Testimonials, and other numerous banquets, dedications and ceremonies throughout the New York Metropolitan Area.

In 1979, John Bartosiewicz led the chorus at an ecumenical service held in Shea Stadium, Queens, New York, in front of 65,00 worshippers, who welcomed Pope John Paul II on his first visit to the United States. He also conducted the choir at services for President Lech Walesa of the newly formed independent Republic of Poland and Jozef Cardinal Glemp, the Primate of Poland. In that same year, Bartosiewicz received the "Citizen of the Year'' award presented to him by the readers of the Polish American World newspaper.

In 1995, John Bartosiewicz was awarded Honorary Alumni Status presented to him by the Orchard Lake School & Seminary of Orchard Lake Michigan, for his dedication to the Polish-American Community and his devotion to the study and performance of Polish Liturgical Music.

In addition to his musical achievements, John has also been involved in politics, business and community affairs throughout his entire life. Best described as "Man For All Seasons'', John dedicated himself to all of the above. While attending St. Francis College and majoring in political science, he interned with the newly elected city councilman, Abraham G. Gerges of the 29th Councilmanic District. Bartosiewicz worked on the successful election campaign and became part of the councilman's staff for almost two years. From 1976 thru 1988, John managed six campaigns for reelection to the New York State Senate on behalf of his brother, Tom Bartosiewicz. Working closely with community leaders, volunteers and a dedicated hard working staff, his brother's landslide victories sent a resounding message to the republican leadership in Albany that, despite a lopsided gerrymandered senatorial district, Greenpoint is a vital hard working community standing united with strong political convictions.

Following his brother's retirement from the senate, John kept active in Greenpoint politics and currently serves as Small Business Affairs counsel and advisor to Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney and New York City Councilman Kenneth Fisher.

In 1976, John Bartosiewicz joined his mother and father in the family owned business of Newell Fuel Company as general manager. Through his efforts the company modernized its operations and office location establishing itself as a creative energy efficient leader in the fuel oil industry.

John is also very active in fundraising campaigns benefitting his parish of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and the Community. In particular, he was instrumental in working closely with Bishop Thomas V. Daily, the Polish Apostolate of Priests Association and the Pulaski Association of Business & Professional Men, to raise funds for the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C.

John Bartosiewicz is active in several Polish American organizations, some of which include the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee, the Polish American Congress Downstate N.Y. Division, the Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn, and the Pulaski Association of Business & Professional Men, Incorporated.

His professional membership includes past members of the New York Oil Heating Association, Petroleum Marketers Association of America, a current member of the Comptroller of the City of New York Ethnic Advisory Council and the Brooklyn Diocesan Liturgical Music Commission.

In June of 1996, Bartosiewicz joined Vijax Fuel Corporation where he presently serves as Marketing and Heating Installations Manager. Through Vijax, John instituted a "give back to the community" program which benefits the youth of Greenpoint. Entitled, "energy for youth", the program provided financial support to the activities of the Greenpoint Y.M.C.A., the St. Stanislaus Kostka Athletic League and the Greenpoint Lions Club Toys for Tots Program John currently resides in Greenpoint with his wife, Frances, and his daughter, Felicia, an honor student at St. Stanislaus Kostka elementary school.