John Borowski Turns 95 Today With A Brand New Port Allegany High School Diploma

RECEIVES DIPLOMA -
 As John Borowski celebrates his 95th birthday today (February 14), he does so with something  very precious in his possession, something he has thought about for years.

At the last Port Allegany School District Board meeting, John was awarded a PAHS Diploma by Superintendent of Schools, Tony Flint.  

He graduated from a one-room school in Kato (near Snowshoe) about 1932.  There was no school bus or other transportation to take him to high school in Snowshoe which was 15 miles away.  John's father passed away when he was 16 years old and he went to work to earn money for his family.  In 1935, he moved to Port Allegany where he worked for a short time in the Silk Mill and on the PA highway.  In February of 1938 he began working at Pittsburgh Corning. 

His employment was interrupted by World War II and his subsequent enlistment in 1942.  John was honorably discharged in 1946 with a rank of Sergeant 4th grade.  

He then returned to work at the PC as a mechanical maintenance mechanic.  He retired in March 1983 after 45 years of service.  

After receiving his diploma Monday night through the Veterans Diploma program, he told of dreaming about this moment more than once over the years.  He spoke about what people take for granted.  He used the quote, "Here today, gone tomorrow." …but during the war it was "Here today, gone today."  

He joked that he was so smart, he didn't have time for an education and that he may now sign up for college.  John is the oldest person to receive a diploma from the local school.  

He and his wife of 59 years, Marion, have four children - Nancy Recker, Janice Himes, Teresa Taylor and Steve Borowski and10 grandchildren.  

Story by Pam Fischer                                                          Photos by Janice Himes