Wallace R. Czyzewski

Wallace Richard Czyzewski, age 88, of Topeka, Kansas (formally of Southbridge, MA) passed away December 30, 2009. He was born on October 17, 1921 in Southbridge, MA to Frank and Stephania Czyzewski. He is survived by his wife Jane, daughter, Mare, and husband John Rockefeller, son, Rick, and wife Cathy Czyzewski, grandchildren Cory and Shayne Czyzewski, Nick, Luke, and Molly Rockefeller, and his sisters Christine Trahan and Doris Gurtlinger. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Sephania (Sobolewski) Czyzewski, his sisters Stephania Babock, Helen Stier, Josephine George, Angela Francis Dadalt, and his brothers Frank, Anthony, Alphonse, Ludwig, and George Czyzewski.

Wallace graduated from Robert H Cole Trade School in 1941. He served his country as an Aviation Machinist's Mate in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. He worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft as a machinist until he retired in 1983. During the 1940's he played professional baseball in the Minor League baseball system. His ball career ended prematurely after a shoulder injury from a car accident. He was an avid fruit and vegetable gardener but his passion was baseball. In 1978 he began working as an independent baseball scout for The Philadelphia Phillies baseball club.

He was actively involved in The Pilsudski Polish American Citizens' Club and Saint Mary's Church in Southbridge, MA. Wallace was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a kind, generous, and caring friend. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him. A private family memorial service was held in Topeka, Kansas on January 4, 2010.
A Catholic funeral mass will be held on January 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., Saint Joseph's Church, 296 Main Street, North Brookfield, MA, burial service immediately following at Saint Joseph's Cemetery (weather permitting) Bell St., North Brookfield, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Wallace can be made to the Polish American Scholarship Fund c/o Pilsudski Polish American Citizens' Club, 18 Ballard Court Southbridge, MA 01550.