77, of White Plains
Albert Peter Cieslik, 77, of White Plains died Nov.20, 2003, at Fort Washington Medical Center, Fort Washington. He was a retired machinist for the Washington Post and worked as a brick and stone mason for more than 30 years prior to working for the Post. He was of the Catholic Faith. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed black and white photography and watching the Discovery Channel and old sitcoms. Mr. Cieslik was recuited into the German Luftwafe as a young boy and became a fighter pilot and bomber pilot in World War II. Serving for many years in the war in the European and African campaigns, he was highly decorated and also spent nearly three years in various allied prisoner of war camps after being shot down during air battles. Years after the war ended, he married his sweetheart, moved to Canada and eventually emigrated to the U.S. to settle down and raise his family in White Plains in 1972. Born Jan. 21, 1926, in Markdorf, Germany, he was the son of the late Jospeh Cieslik and the late Maria Sidlack Cieslik. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Wilhelm, and sisters, Hedel and Maria. He is survived by his wife, Anneliese Ottilite Cieslik of White Plains; son, Ricky Wilhelm Cieslik, of Port Orange, Fla.; daughter, Cornelia Carmen Barnas of Waldorf; daughter-in-law, Patricia Lynn Cieslik; son-in-law, Robert B. Barnas; and grandchildren, Ashley Carmen “Rosebud” Barnas, Michael Robert “Little Buddy” Barnas and Cassandra Annelies “Sunshine” Cieslik. Service was held Nov. 25 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, La Plata. Burial took place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Pomfret. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 487, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Arrangements were handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata.