John J. Sakowicz

Former Venice, FL resident John J. Sakowicz, 92, died 4 June 2021, at Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte, FL. He is predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Rita (Avallone) Sakowicz. Mr. Sakowicz was born 17 April 1929, in Yonkers, NY to Joseph and Emily Sakowicz. He was a beloved grandson (Jankowski) and beloved nephew (his Uncle Whitey, and Aunts Helen and Florence). Mr. Sakowicz worked many years as an art and design manager at General Foods corporate headquarters in White Plains, NY. Previously, he worked at Photo-Lettering, Inc., once a mainstay of the advertising and design industry in New York City. Mr. Sakowicz and his wife, Rita, spent more than 35 years raising their children in New City, NY. They retired to Venice in 1992. He is survived by his friend, Joan Fischer; brother, Albert; 3 sons, John (and wife, Shannon), William, and James; 2 daughters, Anne (and husband Jim) and Betty; and 14 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. Finally, Mr. Sakowicz volunteered for the U.S. Army at 17-years old. He proudly served in the Army of Occupation as a member of the 555 Military Police Company of the 8th Army. An elite unit of the company was selected to guard General Hideki Tōjō, former Prime Minister of Japan, and other war criminals, at Sugamo Prison, Tokyo, during the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal (1946-1948). Twenty-eight Japanese military and political leaders were charged with fifty-five separate counts encompassing the waging of aggressive war, murder, and conventional war crimes committed against prisoners-of-war, civilian internees, and the inhabitants of occupied territories. The defendants included former prime ministers, former foreign ministers, and former military commanders. Two defendants died during the proceedings, and one was ruled unfit to stand trial. All remaining defendants were found guilty of at least one count. Sentences ranged from imprisonment to execution. Private 1st Class Sakowicz was chosen for this duty precisely because he respected his enemy. He respected the Japanese fighting abilities, their fighting spirit, and he especially respected their code of honor. General Tōjō returned that respect. On Private Sakowicz ‘s last day at Sugamo Prison, Tōjō initiated a salute. He saluted Sakowicz. Private Sakowicz returned the salute. General Tōjō had been the Supreme Commander of the entire Japanese military. He had been Prime Minister of Japan. Private Sakowicz was just a 19-year-old kid from Yonkers. Military protocol is that military personnel in uniform are required to salute when they encounter someone entitled by rank to a salute, such as a superior officer. There are some exceptions. Private Sakowicz was one such exception. A Catholic Funeral Mass of Resurrection and a military funeral with honors at Sarasota National Cemetery will be held separately at later dates. A SAMURAI’S PRAYER (TRANSLATED BY MY FATHER, 23 DECEMBER 1948) Blessed Is The Warrior. Blessed Are Loyalty, Righteousness, And Valor. Blessed Is The Dynasty General. Blessed Are The Battlefield Commanders And Grunts. Blessed Are The Mythical Heroes. Blessed Are Our Ancestors. Blessed Is She Who Stands At The Junction Of Heaven And Earth. Blessed Is The Emperor. Blessed Is the Marshall of The Central Altar. Blessed Is The Guardian Of The Palace. Blessed Are They Who Are Of Clean Heart, Clean Body, And Clean Mind. Blessed Are The Rituals Of Misogi And Harae. Blessed Are War-Craft And Witchcraft. Blessed Are The Demons Of Fear, Panic, Retreat, Flight And Pursuit, And Battlefield Rout. Blessed Is The Pole Star Of Purple Subtlety. Blessed Is Pagunseong, The Star Where Swords Cross. Blessed Is Damuncheonwang, The Buddhist God Of War. Blessed Is Land Of The Rising Sun.