John Borkowski

John Charles Borkowski of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on September 4, 2026, at the age of 83.

John was born on August 28, 1943, in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in Northport, Long Island. His father died when John was just 11 years old, an event that shaped much of the man he would become. At an early age, John took on responsibilities well beyond his years, helping care for his mother and sister, working around the house, cooking, and contributing financially to the family. Those experiences instilled in him the independence, determination, and deep sense of responsibility that remained with him throughout his life.

John attended Chaminade High School, a Catholic college preparatory school on Long Island. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree in engineering from Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, now the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology. He excelled academically, earning scholarships and working to help put himself through school. He was also a member of the shooting and boxing teams.

John began his professional career as an engineer at Grumman Aerospace Corporation on Long Island, where his technical abilities and leadership quickly led to positions in management. During a long career at Grumman, he contributed to some of the most significant aerospace programs of his generation. Early in his career, he worked on components associated with the Apollo Lunar Module program and later helped oversee manufacturing operations for legendary military aircraft, including the A-6 Intruder and F-14 Tomcat.

After retiring from the aerospace industry, John and his wife and best friend, Fay, began a new chapter together in South Carolina. Never one to remain idle, John became a real estate broker, and he and Fay built a successful portfolio of rental properties. Along the way, they built a life they loved and formed many lasting friendships.

John was an avid lifelong target and trap shooter. It was a passion he pursued throughout his life, continuing to shoot until his final days. He also loved reading, cooking, listening to music, playing his guitar, and, most of all, spending time with family.

John was deeply spiritual and devoted to his Catholic faith. He loved Fay profoundly, and their life together was at the center of his world. He was enormously proud of his two sons and cared deeply for each of his six grandchildren, taking great joy in watching them grow and know what was happening in their lives.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Fay Borkowski. He is survived by his sons, John Borkowski and Michael Borkowski, and his six grandchildren: John Borkowski, Arianna Borkowski, Alissa Borkowski, Kathryn Borkowski, Luke Borkowski, and Grace Borkowski.

John lived a life defined by perseverance, responsibility, curiosity, hard work, faith, and devotion. He approached each chapter of his life with determination and independence. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivan’s Island. The Rite of Committal and interment will follow at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens.