DUDLEY – Adam B. Beresik, a lifelong resident of Dudley, died February 28, 2016 after a period of declining health. His wife of 68 years, Stella J. (Sedlacek) Beresik, died in 2015. He was born on December 27, 1921, one of the nine children of Dominic and Sophia (Kopas) Beresik, immigrants from Austria.
He leaves 2 daughters, Carol A. St.Pierre and her husband Jack of Sugarloaf, PA and Judith Czernicki and her husband James of Webster; 8 grandchildren, Amy, Daniel, Christopher, Michael and Suzie and her husband Isaul, James and his wife Bonnie, Jennifer and her husband Jay, and Jill and her husband John; 8 great-grandchildren, Dylan, Bailey, Logan, Nicholas, Samantha, Matthew, Jainna and Jakub; nephews and nieces.
He attended Bartlett High School before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1942. He served as a seaman first class in World War II, stationed in Melbourne, FL, San Pedro, CA and Okinawa, Japan.
One of Dudley’s most promising baseball stars of that era, Adam played third base for Navy traveling teams and was offered a major league tryout upon discharge. He passed up the opportunity in order to marry his sweetheart Stella of Wilsonville, CT in 1947.
Mr. Beresik was employed at Webster Shoe, at Jens Risom Designs as a quality control supervisor and at Stevens Linen Associates. He was one of a group that founded the Dudley Little League in 1952 and served as an umpire for many years. He was also a former member of the Saint Anthony’s Men’s Club. He belonged to the Club Jigger Pitch League and was a former member of the Webster Lodge of Elks.
An avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast, he spent many hours fishing the waters of Worcester
County as well as surf casting the beaches along the New England coast. He and his wife camped for many years in Salisbury Beach, MA and in Jamestown, RI before finding a permanent spot in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where they spent most summers after their retirement. He also enjoyed watching the Bruins, Celtics and Patriots games and was a longtime season ticket holder for Holy Cross College basketball games.
His experience in the furniture industry with Jens Risom Designs led to a lifelong woodworking hobby where he fashioned walnut pieces and later, useful folk art pieces which were hand painted by his wife Stella. Over the years, they produced thousands of toaster tongs which they often gave to people they met in their travels.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, March 15, at 10:00 AM in Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hlll Road (please meet at the church). Burial will be in Saint Anthony’s Cemetery, Webster. The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council will provide the military honors. There are no calling hours. Donations in his name may be made to the Dudley Little League, PO Box 202, Dudley, MA 01571-0202. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster.