John F. Niecko

John F. Niecko of Riverhead died Aug. 19. He was 77.

He was born Aug. 30, 1937, in Naliboki, Poland to Mary (Stasieukiewicz) and Edward Niecko and attended Riverhead High School.

Mr. Niecko seved in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Riverhead.

Mr. Niecko was a member of Riverhead Polish Independence Club and Polish Town Civic Association. For 36 years, he was the host of WRIV’s “Polka Time,” playing Polish music Sunday mornings.

Predeceased by his wife, Helen in 2002, Mr. Niecko is survived by his daughters, Patricia Raynor of Riverhead and Annette Madzellan of Tuscon, Az; his siblings Bernard, of Laurel, Stacia Grabowski of Riverhead and Ann Howell of Florida; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his brother Anthony in 2003.

The family received visitors Aug. 20 at McLaughin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service was held Aug. 21 at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment took place at the church cemetery.