My father was the youngest child and son of seven children born to Czeslaw and Sophie (Witkowska) Gadzalinski. He was the fourth son and was born on his mother's 40th birthday.
Little George (Jerzy in Polish) was approaching his 3rd birthday when his father died of pancreatic cancer in Aug. 1933. He grew up without his father. But my dad attested as fact all his life that he saw the ghost of his father in the dining room of the house when he was a young boy.
My dad attended Saint John Kanty Catholic school through 1944. He had his First Holy Communion in May 1939.
Dad had hazel eyes and brown hair (blonde as a young boy). As an adult he was 5' 9" in height and thin in weight. He started wearing eyeglasses around 1967 or 1968.
His first job as a teenager (1943-1945) was as a bowling alley pinsetter (before automatic pinsetters) at Manitoba Arcade. During his high school years (1945-1949), he was employed part-time for clerical duties by The Polish Association of America.
Dad graduated from Pulaski High School on June 17, 1949 (due to a shortage of credits, he wasn't able to graduate with the rest of his class in 1948). He enlisted in the National Guard of Wisconsin on Sept 6, 1949 and honorably discharged on Sept 21, 1949; leaving to enlist in U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War (1950-53) attaining the rank of Staff Sgt in the 34th Air Division (Defense). He was stationed at Kirtland AF base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His discharged was granted on Feb 5, 1953. Dad was very patriotic all his life and proudly flew the flag often (we had a tall flag pole in the front yard of our home).
City boy George met farm girl Mildred "Millie" Cooper (b. 9 Apr 1934) in May 1954 at the White Dove Cafe in Muskego. Mom was there with her sister Frannie and dad stopped there to eat breakfast before going fishing. He ended up taking Millie home (in New Berlin) and skipping fishing. He was smitten with her. Mom and dad got engaged on Feb. 14, 1955.
George Gadzalinski started working in the Property Bureau of the Milwaukee Police Department as an aide on September 10, 1956.
My parents were married on Oct. 6, 1956 in St. John Kanty Church in Milwaukee, Wis. Their first residence was at 3004 S. 8th St. -- just a block from his mother's home. They were the parents of eight children (born between 1957 and 1972). Their second child and daughter, Diane Frances, was born prematurely on April 14, 1958 and died the next day.
Since Dec. 1958, "home" was a modest 3-bedroom ranch house (painted white with red trim; the colors of the Polish flag) at 3261 S. 98th Street in Milwaukee (near the border to West Allis which was north of Oklahoma Ave.). It had a big (about 100 feet tall), shady hickory nut tree (I really enjoyed eating those hickory nuts every September) in the backyard (with a tree swing added), outdoor fireplace, and horseshoe pit (which my dad, neighbors, and us kids really enjoyed playing). It was a great neighborhood growing up and my parents liked to entertain with the closeknit neighbors. The house was small for such a large family but adding a fourth bedroom in the basement (for my brother and I) in 1973 helped alleviate the need for more space.
Employed with the Milwaukee Police Dept. from Sept 1956 until his retirement, due to illness, on June 10, 1988. He was the Custodian Sgt. of the Property Bureau since May 1957. With this job stability, dad was an excellent provider for his large family.
A proud Polish-American Catholic, my dad was also a devoted family man. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, beer, reading (especially World War II books), coin collecting, gardening, playing the harmonica and accordian, polkas, bird watching, art (I inherited his art talent), and creating things (woodworking projects) with his hands. He built a playhouse in the backyard for daughter Lorie's 5th birthday in 1977 and a grandfather clock (from a kit) in 1978 that he was very proud of. I remember he really liked Bobby Vinton's 1974 song "My Melody of Love." He also enjoyed Polish foods and Friday fish fries. He was a fun-loving man who enjoyed attending social events (i.e. weddings) and hosting parties for neighbors and friends (I'll never forgot those many basement and backyard parties in the 60's and early 70's); many recorded on the home movies that dad liked to make (between 1954-1974). Another fond memory was attending the annual Policemen's Picnic at DandiLion Amusement Park in Muskego (which closed down in Sept. 1977). Dad had an incredible smile and an extrovert personality. He liked being the center of attention.
He often enjoyed working in the kitchen. Dad always made Polish kielbasa twice a year (for Easter and Christmas). His cooking specialtiies was his fantastic homemade chicken noodle soup and neck bones with sauerkraut. He also made wonderful roasted pumpkin seeds and delicious homemade pizza, bread and french fries.
My parents had their 25th wedding anniversary in Oct. 1981. He and my mom became grandparents of a twin boy and girl in Sept. 1983.
Dad was a good but strong-willed man. He was often quick to anger but he didn't show much emotion. The only time I saw him cry was when his mother died in Dec. 1972 and his brother Vic in May 1977.
Dad was close to his brother Ray (b. March 1929); Ray was Best Man at dad's wedding. Uncle Ray never married. Dad took care of Uncle Ray's veteran funeral arrangements when he died in August 1985.
Unfortunately, my dad became an alcoholic in the late 1960's (around 1968 or 1969 I would say) and this addiction became worse in the 70's and 80's; he was also a heavy smoker (cigarettes and occasional pipe) which was the contributing factor leading to his diagnosis of lung cancer in May 1987. His beer drinking caused him to become more self-absorbed, negative, and cynical of others around him and caused an emotional and physical strain in his marriage and in the family. But as a Catholic, my father was opposed to divorce.
Even though the cancer was unexpected, my dad, being the good provider that he was, made sure his family would be provided for after he was gone. The mortgage on the house was paid off in Dec. 1987. My dad had life insurance, military benefits, and a Survivorship pension for my mom and youngest sister Lorie with the City of Milwaukee.
Dad took very limited cancer fighting treatment during his 13 months of having cancer (by his own choice). By my brother Rick's wedding on May 21, 1988 (he made a limited appearance for photos), he was dealing with constant pain and it was clear he only had short time more to live. He entered the Greentree Hospice in Glendale (by ambulance) on Tuesday, June 14, 1988 and the family all gathered to say goodbye that night. He died there the following morning at about 7:00 am (about 16 hours later) at age 57.
His funeral mass was held at St. Matthias church with burial at St. Adalbert Cemetery. Services were held on Saturday, June 18th. His niece Susan Stack beautifully sang one of the songs during the mass. Dad had a dignified police escort with the funeral procession to the cemetery and, by request, it made a special detour to drive past his boyhood home at 3015 S. 7th St. It was emotional.
He was survived by his wife Millie, his seven children Mrs Linda (Richard) Spear, Ronald (Suzette), Mrs Susan (Rodney) Bochek, Mrs. Nancy (Steven) Fee, Richard (Diane), Janet and Lorie. Dear Grandpa of Ryan & Diane Spear, Nicole & Kevin Gadzalinski; Renee & Jason Bochek. Also survived by his sister, Sophie Dombrowski, brothers-laws Herb (Wanda), Ron (Nancy) and Glenn (Karen) Cooper and by sisters-in laws Fran (Ron) Wettengel and Nancy (Curt) Johnstone, as well as many nieces and nephews.
There were more grandchildren born after my dad's death that will never know him: Brian Gadzalinski (1990), Robyn Bochek (1990), Joey Bochek (1992), Sarah Gadzalinski (1992) and Carly Floyd (1995). And much later, four children from youngest daughter Lorie.
--------------------------------------------
A song came out in early 1989 called "The Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. It always makes me think of dad when I hear it.
Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts
So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
Written by B.A. Robertson and Mike Rutherford.
Little George (Jerzy in Polish) was approaching his 3rd birthday when his father died of pancreatic cancer in Aug. 1933. He grew up without his father. But my dad attested as fact all his life that he saw the ghost of his father in the dining room of the house when he was a young boy.
My dad attended Saint John Kanty Catholic school through 1944. He had his First Holy Communion in May 1939.
Dad had hazel eyes and brown hair (blonde as a young boy). As an adult he was 5' 9" in height and thin in weight. He started wearing eyeglasses around 1967 or 1968.
His first job as a teenager (1943-1945) was as a bowling alley pinsetter (before automatic pinsetters) at Manitoba Arcade. During his high school years (1945-1949), he was employed part-time for clerical duties by The Polish Association of America.
Dad graduated from Pulaski High School on June 17, 1949 (due to a shortage of credits, he wasn't able to graduate with the rest of his class in 1948). He enlisted in the National Guard of Wisconsin on Sept 6, 1949 and honorably discharged on Sept 21, 1949; leaving to enlist in U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War (1950-53) attaining the rank of Staff Sgt in the 34th Air Division (Defense). He was stationed at Kirtland AF base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His discharged was granted on Feb 5, 1953. Dad was very patriotic all his life and proudly flew the flag often (we had a tall flag pole in the front yard of our home).
City boy George met farm girl Mildred "Millie" Cooper (b. 9 Apr 1934) in May 1954 at the White Dove Cafe in Muskego. Mom was there with her sister Frannie and dad stopped there to eat breakfast before going fishing. He ended up taking Millie home (in New Berlin) and skipping fishing. He was smitten with her. Mom and dad got engaged on Feb. 14, 1955.
George Gadzalinski started working in the Property Bureau of the Milwaukee Police Department as an aide on September 10, 1956.
My parents were married on Oct. 6, 1956 in St. John Kanty Church in Milwaukee, Wis. Their first residence was at 3004 S. 8th St. -- just a block from his mother's home. They were the parents of eight children (born between 1957 and 1972). Their second child and daughter, Diane Frances, was born prematurely on April 14, 1958 and died the next day.
Since Dec. 1958, "home" was a modest 3-bedroom ranch house (painted white with red trim; the colors of the Polish flag) at 3261 S. 98th Street in Milwaukee (near the border to West Allis which was north of Oklahoma Ave.). It had a big (about 100 feet tall), shady hickory nut tree (I really enjoyed eating those hickory nuts every September) in the backyard (with a tree swing added), outdoor fireplace, and horseshoe pit (which my dad, neighbors, and us kids really enjoyed playing). It was a great neighborhood growing up and my parents liked to entertain with the closeknit neighbors. The house was small for such a large family but adding a fourth bedroom in the basement (for my brother and I) in 1973 helped alleviate the need for more space.
Employed with the Milwaukee Police Dept. from Sept 1956 until his retirement, due to illness, on June 10, 1988. He was the Custodian Sgt. of the Property Bureau since May 1957. With this job stability, dad was an excellent provider for his large family.
A proud Polish-American Catholic, my dad was also a devoted family man. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, beer, reading (especially World War II books), coin collecting, gardening, playing the harmonica and accordian, polkas, bird watching, art (I inherited his art talent), and creating things (woodworking projects) with his hands. He built a playhouse in the backyard for daughter Lorie's 5th birthday in 1977 and a grandfather clock (from a kit) in 1978 that he was very proud of. I remember he really liked Bobby Vinton's 1974 song "My Melody of Love." He also enjoyed Polish foods and Friday fish fries. He was a fun-loving man who enjoyed attending social events (i.e. weddings) and hosting parties for neighbors and friends (I'll never forgot those many basement and backyard parties in the 60's and early 70's); many recorded on the home movies that dad liked to make (between 1954-1974). Another fond memory was attending the annual Policemen's Picnic at DandiLion Amusement Park in Muskego (which closed down in Sept. 1977). Dad had an incredible smile and an extrovert personality. He liked being the center of attention.
He often enjoyed working in the kitchen. Dad always made Polish kielbasa twice a year (for Easter and Christmas). His cooking specialtiies was his fantastic homemade chicken noodle soup and neck bones with sauerkraut. He also made wonderful roasted pumpkin seeds and delicious homemade pizza, bread and french fries.
My parents had their 25th wedding anniversary in Oct. 1981. He and my mom became grandparents of a twin boy and girl in Sept. 1983.
Dad was a good but strong-willed man. He was often quick to anger but he didn't show much emotion. The only time I saw him cry was when his mother died in Dec. 1972 and his brother Vic in May 1977.
Dad was close to his brother Ray (b. March 1929); Ray was Best Man at dad's wedding. Uncle Ray never married. Dad took care of Uncle Ray's veteran funeral arrangements when he died in August 1985.
Unfortunately, my dad became an alcoholic in the late 1960's (around 1968 or 1969 I would say) and this addiction became worse in the 70's and 80's; he was also a heavy smoker (cigarettes and occasional pipe) which was the contributing factor leading to his diagnosis of lung cancer in May 1987. His beer drinking caused him to become more self-absorbed, negative, and cynical of others around him and caused an emotional and physical strain in his marriage and in the family. But as a Catholic, my father was opposed to divorce.
Even though the cancer was unexpected, my dad, being the good provider that he was, made sure his family would be provided for after he was gone. The mortgage on the house was paid off in Dec. 1987. My dad had life insurance, military benefits, and a Survivorship pension for my mom and youngest sister Lorie with the City of Milwaukee.
Dad took very limited cancer fighting treatment during his 13 months of having cancer (by his own choice). By my brother Rick's wedding on May 21, 1988 (he made a limited appearance for photos), he was dealing with constant pain and it was clear he only had short time more to live. He entered the Greentree Hospice in Glendale (by ambulance) on Tuesday, June 14, 1988 and the family all gathered to say goodbye that night. He died there the following morning at about 7:00 am (about 16 hours later) at age 57.
His funeral mass was held at St. Matthias church with burial at St. Adalbert Cemetery. Services were held on Saturday, June 18th. His niece Susan Stack beautifully sang one of the songs during the mass. Dad had a dignified police escort with the funeral procession to the cemetery and, by request, it made a special detour to drive past his boyhood home at 3015 S. 7th St. It was emotional.
He was survived by his wife Millie, his seven children Mrs Linda (Richard) Spear, Ronald (Suzette), Mrs Susan (Rodney) Bochek, Mrs. Nancy (Steven) Fee, Richard (Diane), Janet and Lorie. Dear Grandpa of Ryan & Diane Spear, Nicole & Kevin Gadzalinski; Renee & Jason Bochek. Also survived by his sister, Sophie Dombrowski, brothers-laws Herb (Wanda), Ron (Nancy) and Glenn (Karen) Cooper and by sisters-in laws Fran (Ron) Wettengel and Nancy (Curt) Johnstone, as well as many nieces and nephews.
There were more grandchildren born after my dad's death that will never know him: Brian Gadzalinski (1990), Robyn Bochek (1990), Joey Bochek (1992), Sarah Gadzalinski (1992) and Carly Floyd (1995). And much later, four children from youngest daughter Lorie.
--------------------------------------------
A song came out in early 1989 called "The Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. It always makes me think of dad when I hear it.
Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts
So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
Written by B.A. Robertson and Mike Rutherford.
My father was the youngest child and son of seven children born to Czeslaw and Sophie (Witkowska) Gadzalinski. He was the fourth son and was born on his mother's 40th birthday.
Little George (Jerzy in Polish) was approaching his 3rd birthday when his father died of pancreatic cancer in Aug. 1933. He grew up without his father. But my dad attested as fact all his life that he saw the ghost of his father in the dining room of the house when he was a young boy.
My dad attended Saint John Kanty Catholic school through 1944. He had his First Holy Communion in May 1939.
Dad had hazel eyes and brown hair (blonde as a young boy). As an adult he was 5' 9" in height and thin in weight. He started wearing eyeglasses around 1967 or 1968.
His first job as a teenager (1943-1945) was as a bowling alley pinsetter (before automatic pinsetters) at Manitoba Arcade. During his high school years (1945-1949), he was employed part-time for clerical duties by The Polish Association of America.
Dad graduated from Pulaski High School on June 17, 1949 (due to a shortage of credits, he wasn't able to graduate with the rest of his class in 1948). He enlisted in the National Guard of Wisconsin on Sept 6, 1949 and honorably discharged on Sept 21, 1949; leaving to enlist in U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War (1950-53) attaining the rank of Staff Sgt in the 34th Air Division (Defense). He was stationed at Kirtland AF base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His discharged was granted on Feb 5, 1953. Dad was very patriotic all his life and proudly flew the flag often (we had a tall flag pole in the front yard of our home).
City boy George met farm girl Mildred "Millie" Cooper (b. 9 Apr 1934) in May 1954 at the White Dove Cafe in Muskego. Mom was there with her sister Frannie and dad stopped there to eat breakfast before going fishing. He ended up taking Millie home (in New Berlin) and skipping fishing. He was smitten with her. Mom and dad got engaged on Feb. 14, 1955.
George Gadzalinski started working in the Property Bureau of the Milwaukee Police Department as an aide on September 10, 1956.
My parents were married on Oct. 6, 1956 in St. John Kanty Church in Milwaukee, Wis. Their first residence was at 3004 S. 8th St. -- just a block from his mother's home. They were the parents of eight children (born between 1957 and 1972). Their second child and daughter, Diane Frances, was born prematurely on April 14, 1958 and died the next day.
Since Dec. 1958, "home" was a modest 3-bedroom ranch house (painted white with red trim; the colors of the Polish flag) at 3261 S. 98th Street in Milwaukee (near the border to West Allis which was north of Oklahoma Ave.). It had a big (about 100 feet tall), shady hickory nut tree (I really enjoyed eating those hickory nuts every September) in the backyard (with a tree swing added), outdoor fireplace, and horseshoe pit (which my dad, neighbors, and us kids really enjoyed playing). It was a great neighborhood growing up and my parents liked to entertain with the closeknit neighbors. The house was small for such a large family but adding a fourth bedroom in the basement (for my brother and I) in 1973 helped alleviate the need for more space.
Employed with the Milwaukee Police Dept. from Sept 1956 until his retirement, due to illness, on June 10, 1988. He was the Custodian Sgt. of the Property Bureau since May 1957. With this job stability, dad was an excellent provider for his large family.
A proud Polish-American Catholic, my dad was also a devoted family man. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, beer, reading (especially World War II books), coin collecting, gardening, playing the harmonica and accordian, polkas, bird watching, art (I inherited his art talent), and creating things (woodworking projects) with his hands. He built a playhouse in the backyard for daughter Lorie's 5th birthday in 1977 and a grandfather clock (from a kit) in 1978 that he was very proud of. I remember he really liked Bobby Vinton's 1974 song "My Melody of Love." He also enjoyed Polish foods and Friday fish fries. He was a fun-loving man who enjoyed attending social events (i.e. weddings) and hosting parties for neighbors and friends (I'll never forgot those many basement and backyard parties in the 60's and early 70's); many recorded on the home movies that dad liked to make (between 1954-1974). Another fond memory was attending the annual Policemen's Picnic at DandiLion Amusement Park in Muskego (which closed down in Sept. 1977). Dad had an incredible smile and an extrovert personality. He liked being the center of attention.
He often enjoyed working in the kitchen. Dad always made Polish kielbasa twice a year (for Easter and Christmas). His cooking specialtiies was his fantastic homemade chicken noodle soup and neck bones with sauerkraut. He also made wonderful roasted pumpkin seeds and delicious homemade pizza, bread and french fries.
My parents had their 25th wedding anniversary in Oct. 1981. He and my mom became grandparents of a twin boy and girl in Sept. 1983.
Dad was a good but strong-willed man. He was often quick to anger but he didn't show much emotion. The only time I saw him cry was when his mother died in Dec. 1972 and his brother Vic in May 1977.
Dad was close to his brother Ray (b. March 1929); Ray was Best Man at dad's wedding. Uncle Ray never married. Dad took care of Uncle Ray's veteran funeral arrangements when he died in August 1985.
Unfortunately, my dad became an alcoholic in the late 1960's (around 1968 or 1969 I would say) and this addiction became worse in the 70's and 80's; he was also a heavy smoker (cigarettes and occasional pipe) which was the contributing factor leading to his diagnosis of lung cancer in May 1987. His beer drinking caused him to become more self-absorbed, negative, and cynical of others around him and caused an emotional and physical strain in his marriage and in the family. But as a Catholic, my father was opposed to divorce.
Even though the cancer was unexpected, my dad, being the good provider that he was, made sure his family would be provided for after he was gone. The mortgage on the house was paid off in Dec. 1987. My dad had life insurance, military benefits, and a Survivorship pension for my mom and youngest sister Lorie with the City of Milwaukee.
Dad took very limited cancer fighting treatment during his 13 months of having cancer (by his own choice). By my brother Rick's wedding on May 21, 1988 (he made a limited appearance for photos), he was dealing with constant pain and it was clear he only had short time more to live. He entered the Greentree Hospice in Glendale (by ambulance) on Tuesday, June 14, 1988 and the family all gathered to say goodbye that night. He died there the following morning at about 7:00 am (about 16 hours later) at age 57.
His funeral mass was held at St. Matthias church with burial at St. Adalbert Cemetery. Services were held on Saturday, June 18th. His niece Susan Stack beautifully sang one of the songs during the mass. Dad had a dignified police escort with the funeral procession to the cemetery and, by request, it made a special detour to drive past his boyhood home at 3015 S. 7th St. It was emotional.
He was survived by his wife Millie, his seven children Mrs Linda (Richard) Spear, Ronald (Suzette), Mrs Susan (Rodney) Bochek, Mrs. Nancy (Steven) Fee, Richard (Diane), Janet and Lorie. Dear Grandpa of Ryan & Diane Spear, Nicole & Kevin Gadzalinski; Renee & Jason Bochek. Also survived by his sister, Sophie Dombrowski, brothers-laws Herb (Wanda), Ron (Nancy) and Glenn (Karen) Cooper and by sisters-in laws Fran (Ron) Wettengel and Nancy (Curt) Johnstone, as well as many nieces and nephews.
There were more grandchildren born after my dad's death that will never know him: Brian Gadzalinski (1990), Robyn Bochek (1990), Joey Bochek (1992), Sarah Gadzalinski (1992) and Carly Floyd (1995). And much later, four children from youngest daughter Lorie.
--------------------------------------------
A song came out in early 1989 called "The Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. It always makes me think of dad when I hear it.
Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts
So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
Written by B.A. Robertson and Mike Rutherford.
Little George (Jerzy in Polish) was approaching his 3rd birthday when his father died of pancreatic cancer in Aug. 1933. He grew up without his father. But my dad attested as fact all his life that he saw the ghost of his father in the dining room of the house when he was a young boy.
My dad attended Saint John Kanty Catholic school through 1944. He had his First Holy Communion in May 1939.
Dad had hazel eyes and brown hair (blonde as a young boy). As an adult he was 5' 9" in height and thin in weight. He started wearing eyeglasses around 1967 or 1968.
His first job as a teenager (1943-1945) was as a bowling alley pinsetter (before automatic pinsetters) at Manitoba Arcade. During his high school years (1945-1949), he was employed part-time for clerical duties by The Polish Association of America.
Dad graduated from Pulaski High School on June 17, 1949 (due to a shortage of credits, he wasn't able to graduate with the rest of his class in 1948). He enlisted in the National Guard of Wisconsin on Sept 6, 1949 and honorably discharged on Sept 21, 1949; leaving to enlist in U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War (1950-53) attaining the rank of Staff Sgt in the 34th Air Division (Defense). He was stationed at Kirtland AF base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His discharged was granted on Feb 5, 1953. Dad was very patriotic all his life and proudly flew the flag often (we had a tall flag pole in the front yard of our home).
City boy George met farm girl Mildred "Millie" Cooper (b. 9 Apr 1934) in May 1954 at the White Dove Cafe in Muskego. Mom was there with her sister Frannie and dad stopped there to eat breakfast before going fishing. He ended up taking Millie home (in New Berlin) and skipping fishing. He was smitten with her. Mom and dad got engaged on Feb. 14, 1955.
George Gadzalinski started working in the Property Bureau of the Milwaukee Police Department as an aide on September 10, 1956.
My parents were married on Oct. 6, 1956 in St. John Kanty Church in Milwaukee, Wis. Their first residence was at 3004 S. 8th St. -- just a block from his mother's home. They were the parents of eight children (born between 1957 and 1972). Their second child and daughter, Diane Frances, was born prematurely on April 14, 1958 and died the next day.
Since Dec. 1958, "home" was a modest 3-bedroom ranch house (painted white with red trim; the colors of the Polish flag) at 3261 S. 98th Street in Milwaukee (near the border to West Allis which was north of Oklahoma Ave.). It had a big (about 100 feet tall), shady hickory nut tree (I really enjoyed eating those hickory nuts every September) in the backyard (with a tree swing added), outdoor fireplace, and horseshoe pit (which my dad, neighbors, and us kids really enjoyed playing). It was a great neighborhood growing up and my parents liked to entertain with the closeknit neighbors. The house was small for such a large family but adding a fourth bedroom in the basement (for my brother and I) in 1973 helped alleviate the need for more space.
Employed with the Milwaukee Police Dept. from Sept 1956 until his retirement, due to illness, on June 10, 1988. He was the Custodian Sgt. of the Property Bureau since May 1957. With this job stability, dad was an excellent provider for his large family.
A proud Polish-American Catholic, my dad was also a devoted family man. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, beer, reading (especially World War II books), coin collecting, gardening, playing the harmonica and accordian, polkas, bird watching, art (I inherited his art talent), and creating things (woodworking projects) with his hands. He built a playhouse in the backyard for daughter Lorie's 5th birthday in 1977 and a grandfather clock (from a kit) in 1978 that he was very proud of. I remember he really liked Bobby Vinton's 1974 song "My Melody of Love." He also enjoyed Polish foods and Friday fish fries. He was a fun-loving man who enjoyed attending social events (i.e. weddings) and hosting parties for neighbors and friends (I'll never forgot those many basement and backyard parties in the 60's and early 70's); many recorded on the home movies that dad liked to make (between 1954-1974). Another fond memory was attending the annual Policemen's Picnic at DandiLion Amusement Park in Muskego (which closed down in Sept. 1977). Dad had an incredible smile and an extrovert personality. He liked being the center of attention.
He often enjoyed working in the kitchen. Dad always made Polish kielbasa twice a year (for Easter and Christmas). His cooking specialtiies was his fantastic homemade chicken noodle soup and neck bones with sauerkraut. He also made wonderful roasted pumpkin seeds and delicious homemade pizza, bread and french fries.
My parents had their 25th wedding anniversary in Oct. 1981. He and my mom became grandparents of a twin boy and girl in Sept. 1983.
Dad was a good but strong-willed man. He was often quick to anger but he didn't show much emotion. The only time I saw him cry was when his mother died in Dec. 1972 and his brother Vic in May 1977.
Dad was close to his brother Ray (b. March 1929); Ray was Best Man at dad's wedding. Uncle Ray never married. Dad took care of Uncle Ray's veteran funeral arrangements when he died in August 1985.
Unfortunately, my dad became an alcoholic in the late 1960's (around 1968 or 1969 I would say) and this addiction became worse in the 70's and 80's; he was also a heavy smoker (cigarettes and occasional pipe) which was the contributing factor leading to his diagnosis of lung cancer in May 1987. His beer drinking caused him to become more self-absorbed, negative, and cynical of others around him and caused an emotional and physical strain in his marriage and in the family. But as a Catholic, my father was opposed to divorce.
Even though the cancer was unexpected, my dad, being the good provider that he was, made sure his family would be provided for after he was gone. The mortgage on the house was paid off in Dec. 1987. My dad had life insurance, military benefits, and a Survivorship pension for my mom and youngest sister Lorie with the City of Milwaukee.
Dad took very limited cancer fighting treatment during his 13 months of having cancer (by his own choice). By my brother Rick's wedding on May 21, 1988 (he made a limited appearance for photos), he was dealing with constant pain and it was clear he only had short time more to live. He entered the Greentree Hospice in Glendale (by ambulance) on Tuesday, June 14, 1988 and the family all gathered to say goodbye that night. He died there the following morning at about 7:00 am (about 16 hours later) at age 57.
His funeral mass was held at St. Matthias church with burial at St. Adalbert Cemetery. Services were held on Saturday, June 18th. His niece Susan Stack beautifully sang one of the songs during the mass. Dad had a dignified police escort with the funeral procession to the cemetery and, by request, it made a special detour to drive past his boyhood home at 3015 S. 7th St. It was emotional.
He was survived by his wife Millie, his seven children Mrs Linda (Richard) Spear, Ronald (Suzette), Mrs Susan (Rodney) Bochek, Mrs. Nancy (Steven) Fee, Richard (Diane), Janet and Lorie. Dear Grandpa of Ryan & Diane Spear, Nicole & Kevin Gadzalinski; Renee & Jason Bochek. Also survived by his sister, Sophie Dombrowski, brothers-laws Herb (Wanda), Ron (Nancy) and Glenn (Karen) Cooper and by sisters-in laws Fran (Ron) Wettengel and Nancy (Curt) Johnstone, as well as many nieces and nephews.
There were more grandchildren born after my dad's death that will never know him: Brian Gadzalinski (1990), Robyn Bochek (1990), Joey Bochek (1992), Sarah Gadzalinski (1992) and Carly Floyd (1995). And much later, four children from youngest daughter Lorie.
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A song came out in early 1989 called "The Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. It always makes me think of dad when I hear it.
Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts
So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
Written by B.A. Robertson and Mike Rutherford.
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