Retired Chelsea Fire Dept. Lieutenant, John  H. Kanarkiewicz, Jr. passed away with family members at his bedside on Wednesday afternoon, September 28th at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a lengthy battle with overwhelming illness.  He was 56 years of age.  Born in Everett he was a lifelong resident of Chelsea. He was one of three children born to Sophie T. (Domoretsky) Kanarkiewicz and recently departed Chelsea Firefighter, John H. Kanarkiewicz, Sr.  Young John attended school at Our Lady of Grace Parochial School and later graduated from Pope John XXIII High School in Everett.  He worked briefly in various jobs while he pursued his dream of following his father into Fire Service.  In 1987 he was appointed to the Chelsea Fire Department and was assigned to Ladder 2, just like his father before him.  He continued his education and received a Masters Degree in Fire Science from Salem State College.  He attained the rank of Lieutenant and studied to become Captain.  When called to an alarm, battling a fire on County Road he was seriously injured when the buildings’ roof collapsed on him.  His promising career with the Chelsea Fire Dept. ended due to the injuries he sustained at that fire scene.  Undaunted by his disabilities and challenges he was able to work for a short time with FEMA until his worsening illness made it necessary for him to resign to home.  In his lifetime John enjoyed boating and was a member of the Winthrop Elks, B.P.O.E., he loved reading and coin collecting and was a member of the Chelsea Fire Dept. IAFF Local 937.  This past March, John was preceded in death by his father, John H. Sr.  He is survived by his beloved mother, Sophie T. (Domoretsky) Kanarkiewicz of Chelsea and he was the dear brother and brother-in-law of Rosemarie Miller and her husband Gary of Lynnfield, and Frank D. Kanarkiewicz and his wife Joanne of Peabody. Cherished uncle of Dennis and Sara Kanarkiewicz, Adrienne Manes and her husband Aaron and great-uncle to Caroline Manes, he is also survived by an aunt and several cousins.