SFC Jan J. “Woody” Wdowiarz
United States Army, Retired
SFC Jan J. “Woody” Wdowiarz, age 58, a resident of Colorado Springs since 2000, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013 at his home in Colorado Springs. He had retired after serving his country for more than 20 years in the United States Army Special Forces. He was with the 10th Special Forces Group. Jan was a loving husband, son, father, and brother.
Jan Joseph Wdowiarz was born on February 5, 1955 in Rogi, Poland to Zdzislaw and Aleksandra (Uliasz) Wdowiarz. He attended high school in Meriden, Connecticut and received his Associate’s at the Colorado School of Trades in gunsmithing and another Associate’s at Mount Wachusett Community College. He married Silvia Sorbello on May 21, 1987 in Ishoj, Denmark. Woody was in the United States Army Special Forces and served in Operation Just Cause in Panama where he received a Purple Heart and also served in Iraqi Freedom. He enjoyed his gun collection and was a member of VFW Post. He will be best remembered for his quiet professionalism and his loyalty to family, friends, and Special Forces.
He is survived by his parents of Wallingford, Connecticut; his wife: Silvia of Colorado Springs; their children: Christopher, Stephanie, Samantha, and Jennifer; his brother: Stanley (wife, Iwona) Wdowiarz of Meriden, Connecticut; and his sisters: Theresa (James) Palaia of Falcon, Colorado; and Bernadette (Charles) Brix of Kensington, Connecticut.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Graveside services with Military Honors will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials in Woody’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.