Flemington, NJ – John C. Polkowski, 69, entered into eternal life on Monday, February 27, 2023 at home with loving family by his side.  Born and raised in Bound Brook, NJ, in the house built by his father, son of the late Joseph and Adele (nee Dlugosz) Polkowski, he resided in Bridgewater, NJ after marriage and settled to Flemington in 2002.

John was a graduate of Bound Brook High School with the Class of 1971.  He attended Somerset County Community College in Branchburg, NJ and then in 1980 earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ.  John's passion for food inspired his career change from Finance, and in 1992, John graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, earning an associate's degree in occupational studies.  He worked at several restaurants, most notably the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New York City, NY.   John moved into healthcare, working as the Executive Chef at Somerset Medical Center and then on to overseeing Assisted Living residences in Chatham, Bridgewater, Lawrenceville, and Hillsborough.  John retired in 2020 from the food service industry with dreams of writing a cookbook and sharing photos of his culinary creations with his friends on Facebook.  He was faithful parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Three Bridges, NJ.  John enjoyed camping and fishing in Canada since taking his first trip at age 11 with Ma Sturma.  He loved telling stories of his trips to Canada with the guys.  He was an avid gardener, planting vegetables and selling them to friends and neighbors.  He also loved woodworking and puttering around in the garage.  John often said, "I can fix anything but a broken heart."

John is survived by his beloved wife of twenty-nine years, Carolyn L. (nee Janovsky) Polkowski with whom he joined hands in Holy Matrimony on October 30, 1993.  He will be missed dearly by two loving children, Emily Polkowski and her fiancé, Benjamin Mainardi both of Vienna, VA and Lucas Polkowski of Gainesville, FL; two dear siblings, Patricia Tocci and Joseph Polkowski; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 on Friday, March 3 from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday, March 4 from 9:30-10:15 a.m.  Funeral services will begin at the funeral home on Saturday at 10:15 a.m. followed by an 11:00 a.m. funeral mass at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Three Bridges with Fr. Thomas J. Serafin, KCHS officiating.  Committal words and entombment will follow in the mausoleum at St. Bernard Cemetery in Bridgewater, NJ.  To send condolences to the family, share photographs, or light a virtual candle in memory of John, please visit www.CountrysideFuneralHome.com .