Charles J. Zalewski

Charlie gladly shared his time, energy, and love with the world, expecting little in return. His faith and his family were not only part of his life, they were the motivation behind everything he did.

Like many families in the early twentieth century, Joseph and Emily (Osiecki) Zalewski looked to America for opportunity and hope. They completely uprooted their lives, leaving their native Poland in pursuit of the American Dream. When they arrived in Lowell, Michigan, they began to work a small farm. It was not long, however, before they relocated to the Polish West Side, living near Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, becoming members of the Parish.

Joseph and Emily’s first child, Charles J. Zalewski, was born July 25, 1912. He was followed by seven siblings, including: Martha, Mary, Walter, Stanley, Edward, Ceil, and Frances. While the children spent their days at Sacred Heart Elementary, their parents worked tirelessly to provide for them. Charlie’s father worked hard for the city of Grand Rapids as the director of the City Dump. His mother, meanwhile, raised the children and prepared most of the family’s meals from vegetables she grew herself.

The Great Depression hit Charlie’s family hard in 1930s and, as a teenager, he watched their already difficult lives become even more severe. Charlie did everything he could to earn extra money, even working at the City Dump with his father whenever he could. Despite his willingness to work, however, a steady job was hard to come by. President Roosevelt’s creation of the Work Projects Administration (WPA) came as a blessing. It offered Charlie a secure a position building schools and roads for the city of Grand Rapids.

Though he worked much of the time, Charlie always made time for fun. On hot summer days, he and his siblings would pile in their father’s truck and head over Soft Water Lake or the old swimming pool at John Ball Park. Charlie also spent a lot of time with a girl named Bernice, whom he became more and more fond of everyday. Charlie and Bernice dated steadily for several months. They married at Bernice’s home church, St. Adalbert, in May of 1933.

After a brief honeymoon, the newlyweds settled into an apartment on Lane Avenue on the West Side. Bernice’s father helped Charlie get a job at American Seating as a punch press operator. After a couple of years there, his earnings allowed them to rent a house on Watson SW. Charles and Bernice’s first child, Charles B. Zalewski, arrived on January 1, 1934. Andrew arrived in 1940, just as the family moved to a new address: 232 Ives. Later, Theresa came as the last of Charlie and Bernice’s three children.

The Zalewski children attended Sacred Heart Elementary, just as their father had years earlier. Charlie encouraged his kids to follow his example and become integral members of the parish family, as well as the West Side community. Charles, Andrew, and Theresa all had their first communions at Sacred Heart and the entire family went to mass every Sunday. After service, Charlie liked to take everyone on a drives through the countryside.

After moving to 232 Ives, Charlie decided that the basement of the home was not going to work; it was only large enough for the coal furnace and coal bin. Wanting to create more room, Charlie actually dug out an entire basement by hand. Using only a shovel and bucket, he would block the foundation as he cleared more and more room. Eventually, he finished the project by pouring a concrete floor.

Having created it with his own hands, the basement became a special place for Charlie. He used it as his workshop and even as a miniature bottling plant for his homemade root beer. It took him a while to get the recipe right, and every once in a while around the dinner table, the family would hear the “pop” of the bottles exploding in the basement. “Too much yeast, I guess,” Charlie would say, and they would all break down in laughter.

Charlie made all sorts of drinks and meals. He became famous for his homemade wine, as well as his delicious kielbasa. But Charlie was not too proud to enjoy the amazing meals Bernice would make. She made him bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee every morning, and on Sundays, she would prepare one of his favorite meals: chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and vegetables.

Charlie and Bernice enjoyed keeping a very large garden in their backyard. They grew many fruits and vegetables, but roses were Charlie’s specialty. He grew many beautiful varieties, including: Tropicana, Peace, White Ridge, Betsy Ross, and Mr. Lincoln. Charlie babied them all tenderly. He refused to taint them with chemicals and developed his own pest sprays to keep his roses radiant. Charlie and Bernice spent hours tending to their garden, loving every minute of it.

Since Charlie had always loved the water, his family’s vacations usually centered around it. Charlie took his wife and children to a private beach on Lake Michigan year after year. It was a special spot he had discovered during World War II. They also traveled to Softwater, Lamberton Lakes, and Ramona Park on Reeds Lake.

After retiring from American Seating at the age of 59, Charlie spent his time devoted to many causes. He remained very involved with his former company’s union, UAW, becoming the firm advocate for the working union members. He often went to union meetings in Lansing and Washington, D.C. On one of his trips to the Nation’s capitol, Charlie met with Ted Kennedy and enjoyed a brief conversation with him.

Charlie liked traveling, whether for the union, or just for fun. He and Bernice went all over the world, visiting Charlie’s relatives in Poland, also traveling to Canada, California, Texas, and Mexico. Charlie had always remained in close contact with his extended family in Poland and wrote to them often. He could read and speak Polish fluently.

In 1979, Bernice discovered she had cancer. The news came as a shock to the entire family. Even more surprising was her death on June 28, 1979, just months after being diagnosed. Although he missed her greatly, Charlie felt incredibly blessed to have spent 46 wonderful years with the woman he loved.

Though Charlie lived a simple and quiet life after Bernice’s death, he gladly offered his time and money to many charities. As a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, he collected clothing and household items for the poor. On holidays, he would gather food baskets and fresh meat to deliver as well. Charlie also spent much of his time delivering magazines to hospitals and nursing homes around the city. He would often stop to visit with residents. As the Sick Director for Polish Falcons Hall, Charlie always made sure to offer kind words to the sick members of the club. He prayed for all the people he knew and, when the time came, he attended all of their funerals. Through all of his actions, Charlie proved himself to be a devout Catholic who truly lived his faith.

In June of 2004, Charlie was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital after suffering a stroke. He later went to Yorkshire Manor and Crestview Manor, where he died with his son Chuck and grandson Steve by his side. His family is very grateful for the love and care given by Crestview and Yorkshire Manors.

Charles J. Zalewski died October 8, 2004. He was preceded in death by his wife Bernice Zalewski; his parents, Joseph and Emily Zalewski, his sister Mary Zalewski, his brothers, Stanley, Edward and Walter Zalewski, his grandson, David Bustraan and his great granddaughter, Sara Rose Zalewski. Members of Charlie’s family include: his children, Charles B. and Mary Zalewski of Wyoming, MI, Andrew and Tillie Zalewski of Oregon, Theresa and Robert Hole of Grand Rapids; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Joseph and Mary Zalewski of Florida, Martha Nezwek, Cecelia and Anthony Raczkiewicz of Grand Rapids, Frances and Richard Horvath of Florida; his sisters-in-law, Ann Hoebeke, Sophie Kregel and Mary Czyzyk; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Cecilia Czyzyk; many nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

Relatives and friends may meet Charlie’s family at Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel Heritage Life Story Funeral Home™ , 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. and on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., with the parish rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. Please meet at church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Please visit Charlie’s website at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share your memories of him and make a memorial contribution to St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Charlie’s faith was a constant source of inspiration throughout his 92 years of life. His enthusiasm for people and life brought happiness to everyone who was blessed to know him. Friends and family will always remember his loving presence in their lives.