Surnames: Judycki, Walenga, Zajda, Gerrish, Kaminski, Wrobel, Pawula

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) May 14, 2008

Judycki, Chester (26 October 1918 - 2 May 2008)

CHESTER JUDYCKI

With Flag

Chester Judycki of Portage, Michigan, formerly of Lublin, WI, passed away early Friday morning, May 2, 2008, at Borgess Medical Center.

He was born October 26, 1918 in Argo, Illinois to Adolf and Helen (Walenga) Judycki. The Judycki family moved to Lublin, where Chester grew up. In 1942, he joined the Merchant Marines and traveled all over the Mediterranean and South America. He was a cook and had many stories of his adventures on the ships during World War II. He was extremely proud of his time in the service of his country.

He then returned to Wisconsin, and on November 22, 1947, married Milena Zajda, and they ran a small grocery store in Lublin. They had two daughters, and in the 50’s, moved to South Haven, Michigan, and later, Bridgman. He retired from Bendix Corporation in 1970 as a layout inspector. He and Milena then took their camper on the road and traveled the entire 48 contiguous states and later traveled to Alaska.

Chester enjoyed fishing, gardening and woodworking. He was a commercial fisherman on Lake Michigan and avid sports fisherman. In 2002, Chester and Milena moved to Portage, Michigan, where he spent many days fishing on West Lake, growing his garden and building birdhouses. He was a longtime member of the American Legion in Bridgman and later Portage.

Chester is survived by his wife of 60 years, Milena; two daughters: Joann (Leslie) Gerrish of Mattawan, and Linda Kaminski of Portage; one grandson, Thomas Gerrish of royal Oak, Michigan; and one sister, Harriet (Richard) Wrobel of Withee, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Eugena Pawula; and two brothers: Edward Judycki and Edwin Judycki.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Private family services will be held at a later date.