Boleslaw Bill Kaczmarek

Bill or Billy" Kaczmarek . On Friday October 7th the world lost a true survivor and a great person to all who knew him. Bill, 85, passed away peacefully at Wingate Nursing Home in West Springfield. Bill was born in Kamien, Poland to Andrzej and Magdalena Wvotarek Kaczmarek. He was the eldest of 3 boys, Michal and Stanislaw. During the Nazi Invasion of Poland in WWII Bill was taken to the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, never to see his family again. Bill was transported from the camp to a farm in the surrounding area where he was subjected to life as a forced laborer. After occupied Europe was liberated, Bill assisted the Allied Forces by taking part in supply convoys all over Europe. In 1950, Bill emigrated from Germany to the US where he worked with other Polish immigrants on a farm in the valley upon arrival. In 1957, Bill's only child Michael was born. Bill raised Michael by himself with the help of the Simchak and Sienkieweicz families. Shortly after he obtained a job at Springfield Bronze and Aluminum as an Assistant Moulder. After they closed Bill began working as a Moulder at Yankee Mag Cast, Inc. in Enfield, CT. In 1991 he was honored by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Foundrymen's Society for his dedicated service. Bill was forced to retire in 1991 due to health issues. Bill enjoyed working in his garden, going dancing with his beloved Maxine, taking long drives, watching the Red Sox, playing cards, having a shot and a beer, morning coffee with the guys in the neighborhood at Meadow St. Market and spending time with his son, grandchildren and great grandson. Some of his fondest memories were of going to Chatham, MA with the owners of Yankee Mag Cast, Inc. for deep sea fishing trips, helping people in his neighborhood, attending events at the Eagles Club of Westfield, staying up late to watch the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and watching his grandchildren and great grandson grow up and participate in various sports and school graduations. Bill was predeceased by his longtime significant other, Maxine Northrup in 2009. Bill is survived by his only son, Michael W. Kaczmarek, his three grandchildren Jonathan W. Kaczmarek, Ashley M. Kaczmarek, Michael S. Kaczmarek and his great-grandson Arion M. Slingerland II all of Westfield, MA. The family would like to thank the staff at the Wingate Nursing Home for taking exceptional care of Bill over the last few months. Calling hours will be held on Saturday October 15th from 9-10 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church on 60 Broad St., Westfield, MA, followed by a ceremony in the Church at 10 am and a burial at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery on Lockhouse Rd., Westfield, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help defray the cost of the funeral to Michael W. Kaczmarek at Westfield Bank, 26 Arnold St., Westfield, MA 01085. firtionadams.com Published in The Republican from October 13 to October 14, 2011