When Joseph A. Borkowski wrote about Poles and Polish-Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War I and II, he wrote partly from experience. At age 34, Mr. Borkowski enlisted in the Army, was placed in an infantry outfit and fought his way across North Africa and into Italy, where he still carried a German bullet in his neck. Joseph A. Borkowski, of Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville section, better known as Lawrenceville’s historian, died on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, in West Penn Hospital, in the city’s Bloomfield neighborhood. He was 95. His son, Edward Borkowski, first assistant district attorney for Allegheny County, recalled how his father, saddened by the plight of the orphaned children in Italy, would solicit donations from his fellow G.I.s, which he would turn over to the village priests and nuns. “Even when Dad returned home, he continued to raise funds to send to Italy,” added Edward Borkowski. Born and raised on Polish Hill in the city, Joseph Borkowski was one of four children of Julian and Anna Borkowski, who had emigrated from Poland. His father for years was employed in the Round House of the former Pennsylvania Railroad in Lawrenceville. To help his family while a youth, Joseph Borkowski would hop the streetcars along Butler Street and sell newspapers to the riders. In 1925, after graduation from Schenley High School, in the city’s Oakland neighborhood, Mr. Borkowski for a number of years was employed as a printer’s helper before going to work in the Carnegie Steel Mill. “My father was a patriot who loved this country,” added Edward Borkowski, “but was able to express his love without losing touch with his Polish heritage.” In the ensuing years, Joseph Borkowski, with the help of the G.I. Bill, was able to attend Duquesne University, where he received his degree in economics. He later earned a master’s degree in history at the University of Pittsburgh. Upon receiving his degree from Duquesne, Mr. Borkowski began his career with the city and later the county. He was employed as an auditor-accountant for the city, supervisor of the Parking Tax Department and manager of the Wage Tax. He retired in 1983. In 1949, he married Anna Kowalski, a young woman from Polish Hill, who kept up with her husband’s dynamic pace. “My mother supported my father’s endeavors, which included spending hours at the library or at the kitchen table writing historical papers on Lawrenceville or prominent Poles and Polish-Americans, besides volunteering three hours a night, five nights a week at the Boys & Girls Club in Lawrenceville,” said his son. Anna Borkowski died in 2002. Several of the histories of Polish luminaries that Mr. Borkowski researched revolved around the contributions of pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski’s first Pittsburgh concert and Marie Curie’s visit to Pittsburgh. Edward Borkowski recalled how his father would drive him around to historical places and explain to him some of the battles or important events, such as the marker at Chad’s Ford designating the first battle that Casimer Pulaski participated in to help the Colonials in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Borkowski was a lifelong member of Holy Family Church in Lawrenceville, where he served as president of the church council for 14 years. Although he was a member of numerous Polish and Polish-American organizations, he proudly served as a member of the Central Council of Polish Organizations for 37 years. In reflecting upon his father’s long life and successful career, Edward Borkowski noted how carefully his father measured his words, whether he was speaking or making a decision. “And although I’m an adult, wherever I go, especially in Lawrenceville, I’m still known as ‘Joe’s boy’, or ‘Iggie’s nephew,’ after my uncle who was a city detective and later a superintendent of police for the city.” Mr. Borkowski is survived by his sons, Edward J. Borkowski of Lawrenceville and Byron Kemmerling of Shaler, Allegheny County; a daughter, Lois Sovak of Penn Hills, Allegheny County; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank and Iggie Borkowski. Visitation is from noon to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Home, 216 44th St., Lawrenceville. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Holy Family Church.

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