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Event Program

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Edward Piszek Historical Marker Dedication - Sept. 20, 2025

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(l. to r.) Dianna Blichasz; John Ferro, Wissichickon Trails Conservation Director, with daughter Chloe; Alexandra Golaszewski-Kelly; John B. Kelly III; Peter J. Obst, president, Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia; Katherine Dowdell, representing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; John Wisniewski; Janusz Romanski, Commander of the Polish Army Veterans Association, District 10.



by Peter J. Obst

At noon on Saturday, September 20, 2025, a small group of individuals gathered at the entrance to a nature preserve in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, to dedicate a Historical Marker commemorating Polonia icon Edward Piszek. Peter J. Obst, President of the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia welcomed those present. He read a letter received from Bogdan Klich, Head of Mission at the Republic of Poland Embassy in Washington, DC. Katherine Dowdell, representing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), made a short speech citing some of Edward Piszek's many accomplishments. Janusz Romanski, Commander of the Polish Army Veterans Association, District 10, presented Peter Obst with the Gen. Casimir Pulaski medal in recognition of his achievements.

Among those present was John Ferro, Conservation Director at Wissahickon Trails, the organization which administers the nature preserve. The preserve was created when the Piszek family donated land surrounding historic Emlen House, Edward's long time residence, to Montgomery County.

Then a cover, bearing the logo of the PHMC was removed from the gold and blue sign. The following words were presented to the public for the first time:

Edward Piszek (1916-2004)
Entrepreneur who cofounded Mrs. Paul's Kitchens in Phila. in 1946. The company marketed its innovative frozen seafood products nationwide, earning Piszek the nickname "Fishcake King." A visit to his ancestral homeland in the 1960s inspired him to promote Polish culture, heritage and causes, including founding the Copernicus Society, saving the Kosciuszko House with historian Edward Pinkowski, and funding an anti-tuberculosis campaign.

Under PHMC rules, the state of Pennsylvania is obligated to maintain this sign in perpetuity. It is a fitting tribute to a man who made such a large contribution to Pennsylvania and the Polish American community there. Writer Jake Morgan, working with Edward, produced the memoir: Some Good in the World: A Life of Purpose published in 2001 by University of Colorado Press, 235 pages (available on Amazon).