Witold “Vic” Jankowski was born on November 13, 1944, in Warsaw, Poland, and spent his earliest years in Gdańsk. He attended Im. Dobiszewskiego High School in Warsaw, and later the Maritime School. Vic also pursued studies in printing, a craft that would later shape his professional life.
In 1965, Vic married Teresa W. Dowjat. In 1971, he immigrated to New York and settled in Connecticut. Like many new arrivals, he first worked in manual labor, but his determination and vision soon led him to found Hartford Press Inc., a small printing business that he grew with skill and dedication. Throughout his life he sent financial support to friends and family in Poland. He also generously shared his business acumen, mentoring his nephew—who went on to establish and run a successful energy company.
Boating and fishing were Vic’s lifelong passions. Upon arriving in the United States, rather than purchasing a car, he bought his first boat. One of his proudest achievements was the purchase of his motorboat Polonia, which he captained along rivers, harbors, and the Atlantic coast. His love of fishing spanned decades—from casting lines into the Vistula River as a young man in 1960s Warsaw to deep-sea tuna fishing off the Northeastern coast of the U.S. in the 1980s. The water was always his second home.
After successfully growing Hartford Press, Vic retired at the age of 51 in 1995, leaving the business in the capable hands of his stepson. He moved to Florida, where he became instrumental in establishing the oceanside community of Marbrisa in Indian River County. For over 25 years, he volunteered his time and leadership, overseeing and caring for the community’s landscaping.
After ten years together in Florida, Vic’s wife Teresa passed away following a battle with cancer. In 2006, he was reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Jadwiga Wild, who remained his devoted partner until his final days.
Vic is survived by Jadwiga and her daughter Paula Wild; his stepson and daughter-in-law, Jack and Jackie Borkowski; and two nephews, Marcin Liebchen and Grzegorz Wilczek. He will be remembered for his love of the sea, his entrepreneurial drive, and his generosity of spirit. He leaves behind not only cherished memories, but an enduring imprint on the hearts of all who were fortunate to know him.