John L. Damiecki, 91
John L. Damiecki, a member of a Bridgehampton potato-farming family, died of complications of pneumonia in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 26, with several family members by his bedside. He was 91.
Mr. Damiecki was a son of Polish immigrants, many of whom came to the East End at the turn of the 20th century. A champion of farmland preservation as he grew older, he owned vast tracts of land here, not only in Bridgehampton but also in East Hampton and Amagansett. Kenneth Damiecki of Bridgehampton, a nephew, recalled that after his uncle retired he cultivated a large, beautiful vegetable garden and was generous with its produce. He was a great storyteller, his nephew said, with a quick wit and sense of humor.
John Leon Damiecki was born at home in Bridgehampton on Feb. 20, 1926, one of seven children of Marcel Damiecki and the former Helena Berkoski. He attended the Bridgehampton School before joining the family farming business. He was a member of the Bridgehampton Fire Department, an honorary member of the Springs Fire Department, and a member of the Elks Lodge and the Long Island Farm Bureau.
Mr. Damiecki began spending time in Florida in the 1970s, always returning in the spring to Bridgehampton. He was a longtime parishioner at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton, where he served as an usher. His marriage to the former Anna Danowski ended in divorce.
She died before him, as did his sisters Sophie Kosinski and Jay Skretch, both of Bridgehampton, and Lois Beck of St. James, and his brother, Edward Damiecki, also of Bridgehampton.
He is survived by his son, Marcel Damiecki, his daughter, Susan Kosowski of Riverhead, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his sisters Stephanie Pfeiffer of Hudson, Fla., and Marcella De Muth Gintowt of West Palm Beach. A dozen or more nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and great-nephews, and five great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews survive as well.
Mr. Damiecki was cremated. A memorial Mass will be said at Most Holy Trinity on June 10, with burial following at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Southampton. Memorial donations have been suggested to the Gwen L. Kosinski Foundation Inc., 318 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead 11901.