WWII prisoner Nicholas Kalynych

Nicholas R. Kalynych, 90, who spent most of World War II in Japanese prison camps, died of heart failure Sunday at home in Broomall.

Mr. Kalynych joined the Navy in 1936, two years after graduating from Hellertown High School in Northampton County.

During World War II, he was assigned as a machinist aboard the Canopus, a submarine tender that was among the forces that defended the Philippines in 1942. After the Japanese captured the Bataan peninsula in April, and the island of Corregidor in May, tens of thousands of Americans and Filipinos became prisoners of war. Many of them died on the 100-mile forced evacuation that became known as the Bataan Death March.

"If a guy would fall down, the Japanese would shoot him or cut off his head," said Mr. Kalynych in a 2005 story published by the Veterans of Delaware County.

After months in the Philippines, Mr. Kalynych and about 800 other prisoners were transported to Japan in the cargo hold of a ship. He was made to work in a lead mine near Moju, Japan.

Mr. Kalynych said prayer and a positive altitude helped him survive. He said he had no ill will toward the Japanese people for his treatment.

"I learned to be tolerant," he said in 2005. "I never had any anger against the Japanese."

After the war, Mr. Kalynych, who had lost about 80 pounds, recuperated at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.

In 1946, he married Helen Turock. The couple had no children.

Mr. Kalynych was discharged in 1952 as a lieutenant. Afterward, he worked as a maintenance supervisor in Boeing's helicopter division in Ridley Park. He retired in 1982.

In retirement, Mr. Kalynych enjoyed golf. He and his wife played senior-citizens shuffleboard. His wife died in 2001.

"I took care of his house after his wife died. He loved her so much," said niece Brenda Hahn. "I told him they should make a movie about his life."

"He was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Navy Presidential Citation, POW Medal and several others," said Dennis Morso, commander of the American Legion Post 805 in Broomall. "We framed all of his medals."

Mr. Kalynych was commander of the post for two years, and a member of the Knights of Columbus and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Kalynych has no immediate survivors.

Friends may visit at 8:30 a.m. today at Robert L. D'Anjolell Memorial Home, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall. A Funeral Mass will be said at 11:30 at St. Anastasia Church, West Chester Pike at Radnor Drive, Newtown Square. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Sproul and Crum Creek Roads, Marple Township. He will be buried with full military honors.

Donations may be made to American Legion Post 805, 2430 West Chester Pike, Broomall, Pa. 19008.