Little League® International mourns the passing of John Niewierowski, Jr., former West Virginia District 3 Administrator. He was 72.
Born on August 8, 1944, in Charleston, W. Va., Mr. Niewierowski graduated from DuPont High School in 1962, and attended Morris Harvey College. He began his service to Little League at the local level and was a member of his local league’s Board of Directors for 17 Years. He served as an Assistant District Administrator before his election as District Administrator in October 2001. He served in this capacity for nearly 15 years, retiring in September of 2016. Mr. Niewierowski continued to remain active in the district and local league levels until his death.
Little League was truly a passion for Mr. Niewierowski throughout his time volunteering at the local and district levels. During his years as a D.A., West Virginia District 3 was recognized at the Little League Baseball World Series for 100 percent participation in Little League’s “A Safety Awareness Program.” Mr. Niewieroski is also credited with creating a developing a District-level postseason tournament for players, league-age 7 and 8, participating in the Minor Division Coach Pitch program.
Professionally, Mr. Niewierowski spent 34 years with the Carbide/Dow manufacturing company. At work too, he always did his best to help others. In 1972, Mr. Niewierowski was working at a FMC Corporation American Viscose rayon plant when he wrote a letter to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) about safety concerns, asking for a hazard evaluation of the plant. His letter prompted a review, and yielded subsequent safety improvements for workers. Those events were later documented in the book Muscle and Blood by Rachel Scott.
Mr. Niewierowski was predeceased by his wife, Patricia “Patti” Niewierowski. He is survived by sons, Chris and Scott; step-daughter, Lynda; brother, Jerry; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.