Frank Korczak of Southampton Dies at 89

Frank Korczak, a long time resident of Southampton, died peacefully at his home Friday. Born in Stale, Poland, on April 25, 1922, he was 89.

Korczak was the youngest of five children to Adam and Magdalena Korczak.  During World War II, Korczak was taken away from his family and sent to Germany as a forced laborer. After the Allied liberation of Europe, he joined the Labor Services Division of the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in 1949 and immigrated to America. His first job in America was as a farmhand on the South Fork. He soon left this to work for the watchmaker Bulova in Sag Harbor before finally being the head caretaker for the McConnell family estate in Southampton, retiring at age 75. 

Korczak was well known for his gardens and green thumb. His plants and flowers were sought after by local garden centers as well as individuals and he developed a bustling business of selling them on weekends after he retired.

He is survived by his wife, Jadwiga; children, Anthony of Connecticut and Kathleen of Manhattan; his grandchildren, Haley, Izabella and Gabriella; and countless nephews, nieces, cousins and friends on both sides of the Atlantic.

A visitation took place on Sunday at O'Connell Funeral Home in Southampton followed by a funeral at on Monday.  A memorial reception was held following the burial at in Southampton.

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