Czerw’s Kielbasa announced With heavy hearts the Czerw Family would like to announce the passing of John Czerw. John was the heart and soul of Czerws and a friend to everyone he came across. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced at a later date. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
John Czerw was the proud owner of Czerw’s Kielbasy, a beloved Polish food institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He passed away at the age of 55, leaving behind a powerful legacy rooted in tradition, family, and community.
John was more than just a business owner—he was the steward of a multigenerational dream. His grandfather, Jan Czerw, emigrated from Mislsi, Poland, and began making kielbasa in the basement of his home. As demand grew, Jan founded Philadelphia Provisions in 1938, converting an old horse stable into a smokehouse and building brick ovens that still stand today.
The business was later passed down to Jan’s sons, Ted and Konstant, and eventually to the third generation—Dennis, Jeffrey, and John. Together, they preserved the values and authenticity that made Czerw’s a staple in the community.
John grew up surrounded by the family’s passion for traditional Polish cooking. From a young age, he was involved in daily operations—from cleaning smokehouses to helping customers. Under his leadership, Czerw’s continued to offer handmade kielbasa, pierogi, and golabki, prepared with the same recipes and smoked with real fruit woods, just as his grandfather had done nearly a century ago.
Rob Carroll shared “Yo Port Richmond and all of Philly John Czerw of Czerw Keilbasa has passed away unbelievabley way way way too young at 55. I was in his shop a couple of dozen times over the years. My 1st time in there i had my Polish American String Band coat on….. he wouldnt let me pay. Everytime after that wether in PA gear or not he always recognized me and was very generous. That doesnt even touch on how generous he was to PASB. He was one of a kind. And woahhhh. What he made in his shop…. omfg. ….. garlic Keilbasa jerky………. RIP John”