DUDLEY - Edmund F. “Stretch” Kaczmarek, 95, died Saturday, April 21, 2018 after a period of declining health.
He leaves his wife of 71 years, Josephine M. (Mroczek) Kaczmarek; a son, Michael E. Kaczmarek and his wife Rhoda D. of Webster; a daughter, Sallie K. Guskey and her husband Michael W. of North Grosvenordale, CT; 2 grandsons, Christopher and Jacob Kaczmarek; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his 2 brothers, John and Francis Kaczmarek.
Stretch was born in Dudley and raised in Webster, a son of Anthony and Susan (Walkowiak) Kaczmarek. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1941. He was a member of the 1941 undefeated baseball team and was inducted into the Bartlett High School Hall of Fame. He had lived in Dudley since the 1950’s.
He was a proud Marine Corps veteran of World War II, serving with the Third Marine Division in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from June of 1942 to December 7, 1945. He earned the rank of Corporal and was the holder of two Purple Hearts for injuries received in battle on Iwo Jima and Guam.
Mr. Kaczmarek was employed for 41 years at Anglo Fabrics Company in Webster retiring as head examiner in 1987. He was a daily communicant of Saint Andrew Bobola Church. He held memberships in the Marine Corps Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the former Dudley Veterans Association.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, May 5 at 10:00 AM in Saint Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main Street (please meet at church). Burial will be in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster, with military honors. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 9:15 AM until the time of the Mass. Donations in his name may be made to Saint Andrew Bobola Renovation Fund, PO Box 98, Dudley, MA 01571-0098 or to the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, 3 Veterans Way, Webster, MA 01570. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.