James William Piowaty

James William Piowaty, age 90, passed peacefully from a full and generous life on January 22, 2016. He leaves behind his wife Deborah, whom he treasured for 65 years, and four well-loved children; Timothy Piowaty (Aurora Piowaty), Sabrey Piowaty Bone (Charles Rex Bone), Susan Piowaty (Joseph Grable) and Kathleen Piowaty Fredrick, as well as eight grandchildren; Jessica Edwards, Ciara James, Tara Piowaty, Katherine Piowaty, Brian Piowaty, Corinne Fredrick, Devin Vasquez and Adam Vasquez and five great-grandchildren.

Jim came to Ft. Pierce from Chicago in 1948 to pursue the family business of farming vegetables. Over the years he grew a variety of crops; from radishes and tomatoes to spectacular citrus groves. In his later years, he channeled his horticultural talents into the lush tropical grounds surrounding his home. People driving by often stopped to admire the blooming pink impatiens and beds of red amaryllis. Jim eagerly offered a yard tour, and sometimes a house tour, to all who were interested. Many who never met Jim, enjoyed his passion for growing things as they passed by his home on S. Indian River Drive.

While his career was in farming vegetables, his passion was in sowing the seeds of change and tending to the needs of the underserved in the community. A quiet contributor and vocal supporter of countless worthy causes, he is well known as a champion of civil rights, farmworkers rights, the environment, abused children, the hungry and the homeless. He belonged to numerous community organizations and boards throughout the years.

A better chief than an Indian, Jim was a founder of the first day care center in Lincoln Park, offering farmworkers a safe place to leave their children. During the social upheavals of the 1960’s, he was appointed by a federal judge to a bi-racial working to peacefully integrate the public schools. He was a founding member of Mustard Seed Ministries and the Treasure Coast Food Bank. In 2004 the NAACP presented him with an award for Life Time Achievement in Humanitarian Efforts. He was also an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for almost 70 years. Jim was a man of firm convictions who was not afraid to put his money and time where his mouth was.

While he was actively engaged in the community, his heart belonged to his family. A loving father of four, he was deeply involved in the lives of his children. Ever focused on their educations and careers, he spent a great deal of time and energy on empowering them. Through their inevitable ups and downs, he counseled his children and grandchildren (perhaps often more than they wished), helping them to develop the skills needed for a successful life and to continue on in his footsteps.
Most never realized that Jim was an idea man at heart, inventing gadgets, writing advertising jingles, plays and funny poems and songs for friends and family. A born entrepreneur, he was a creative genius in sales and promotion and had an uncanny, and sometimes annoying, ability to see the weaknesses in any plan. While some may have bristled at or disagreed with his opinions and shrewd business dealings, it was virtually impossible not to respect him. When Jim gave his word, it was worth more than any contract.

Jim Piowaty made the world a better, more beautiful place to live. His was a life spent in service to friends, family, his community and to total strangers. If he saw a need he addressed it, with little thought to personal consequences.
A man of deep faith, Jim strived to live by the teachings of Christ. This verse from Matthew 25: 34-40; "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me....Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me," was his guiding principal. Jim Piowaty spent his life caring for the earth and the weakest on this earth. He was a truly good man who made a difference. He will be missed and remembered by many.

Friends are encouraged to visit with the family on Thursday, February 4th from 5 – 7 PM at Haisley Funeral Home, 3015 Okeechobee Rd. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 5th at 3 PM at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 210 S. Indian River Drive, Ft. Pierce 34950. Following the service, friends are warmly invited to join the family for supper at the A.E. Backus Museum of Art, 500 N. Indian River Drive, Ft. Pierce. Those who wish to may drop off an appetizer or dessert at the Museum prior to the funeral service.

An online guest book may be signed at www.haisleyfuneralhome.com . In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: Mustard Seed Ministries, 3130 N. U.S. #1, Ft. Pierce, 34982 http://www.mustardseedslc.org/Donate.html , Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 Dunn Road, Ft. Pierce 34981, http://www.tchospice.org/giving/ or St. Andrew’s Church Caring Fund http://www.mystandrews.org/give-2/

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