Marian Czarnecki's Obituary
Marian A. Czarnecki
Marian A. Czarnecki, who rose to distinction in foreign affairs posts and later served actively in agricultural and community affairs in Leesburg, Virginia, died peacefully in his sleep on February 23 at age 83 following an extended illness. Czarnecki was born, raised and educated in Poland until age 14. When the Germans invaded and occupied Poland in 1939, his family escaped to America and went to Milwaukee where there were relatives. He joined the U.S. Army, serving until the end of the war in 1945. Czarnecki moved to Washington, D.C. in 1948 to work as an aide to the then newly-elected Rep. Clement J. Zablocki (D-WI), who was from Milwaukee. He also studied at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, from which he graduated summa cum laude. Zablocki's membership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee led to Czarnecki's assignment to the staff of the prestigious committee. He worked for a dozen years as a staff member and in 1972 was promoted to Chief of Staff. In 1976 he left the Foreign Affairs Committee to join the Inter-American Development Bank as a senior adviser to the president. The international institution is involved in economic affairs and assistance to Latin American nations. He retired from the IDB in 1987. Czarnecki and his wife Joan then moved from Washington to acreage he had bought near Leesburg. There he established the Oaksworth Vineyards and Tree Farm which became known both for its wines and for its annual sales of Christmas trees offered to customers on a cut-your-own basis. Amid Loudon County's growing urbanization, Czarnecki was active in seeking to slow excessive development in the diminishing rural areas. He served on the Rural Economic Development Council, the Agriculture Advisory Committee and the Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District and other committees. Czarnecki was outgoing and friendly. He loved to host parties which became well-known for fine food, wines, and conversation. He was an avid golfer and continued playing until his hospitalization last fall. His wife died in 2005. He is survived by three children, John Czarnecki, Andrew Czarnecki, and Julie Czarnecki Sott, and six grandchildren, one great grandchild, and grand nieces and nephews as well as many dear friends. A memorial visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday, March 3rd 2011 at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Cr. SE in Leesburg, VA. A memorial service will follow at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 4, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church (Parish Center), 101 Oakcrest Manor, Leesburg, VA.
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