Edward F. Kalisz

Edward was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was about. He was born to Joseph and Alice Kalisz at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 5, 1920. He was raised on the west side of Grand Rapid and he liked the west side. He often said he wanted to return there someday.

As a young boy with two brothers, Tony and Jo, and two sisters, Charlotte and Irene, he was taught at an early age the importance of family respect and loyalty. Ed helped to make sure others did what they were supposed to. At home everyone had their responsibilities. All of these traits continued throughout his life. He loved family gatherings so much and couldn’t wait for the next one to roll around. His favorite day was Sunday because that was family day.

When he was a young boy, he loved his bike He learned how to do repairs on it. Then he would repair his friends’ bike and tires. He’d fix tires with rubber bands and sometimes get paid a nickel or dime for that. He liked finding odd jobs to do as a kid. He’d walk to the market and help load watermelons off the truck for a dime.

As a youngster in school he always did was he was supposed to do. His attendance was excellent, he precisely followed directions and he always finished his homework on time. He loved math. Of course, it was in math class that he sat behind Helen Goleniwski, who may have been a bit of a distraction since it was Helen that he eventually married in 1942, after graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1938.

Edward served in the US Air Force after high school and was stationed in California the whole time. He was proud to serve his country but he did not like being in the service. So Ed and Helen had a long distance relationship. Helen took the train to California a few times. They eventually married and lived out there for a few years until his service was done.

Moving back to Grand Rapids to build his family came next. He was determined to find a way to give to Helen, Sherrie and Cynthia a life he never had. His first job was working at the Texaco gas station on Lake Drive as a service attendant, and then he became a manager. Having a family to feed on that salary was a shocker. He walked to and from work to save every penny he could. He continued that pattern of thrift his whole life. However, his standard of living continued to rise so that he could enjoy a more luxurious manner of travel to and from work. He owned a number of businesses it was real estate that he really enjoyed. He liked the buying and selling for not only others but for himself also. He acquired a lot of land over the past years and sold most of it before passing away.

Edward was very sociable and approachable. When he saw someone, he always wanted to make them feel good about themselves. He was sometimes too inquisitive, but that was just him trying to make others feel important. He really loved joking around with people and laughing with people. He was even like this in the hospital with the nurses and doctors until his dying days. Of course, he often added, “Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside.”

While growing up his best friend was Tony. Later in life, his close friends were Doyle Walsh and Buck Buchanan. Ed had all sort of friends over the years. He was a smart business man and he was always willing to go out of his way to help others. Of course, we cannot forget hiss four legged friends, Bubbles and Sam, his boxers, who bought him so much laughter. Of course, Ed and Helen did not get the boxers until their daughters were grown and married. The dogs were going to try to replace the daughters, if that was possible.

Edward built a gorgeous home at 2285 East Fulton for Helen, Sherrie and Cynthia. He was only 33 years old when he built it. That was quite an accomplishment for a young man who came from simple background who worked hard for every penny he made. And for that reason he was so proud of it. Helen planned every inch of it and it was special. They had a circular stairway going up to the four bedrooms and a circular going to the basement. They had a music room with a grand Piano. They had a den with a parquet hardwood ceiling. They had a large breezeway where they spent many days and evening. The house had hardwood floors and gorgeous molding throughout. So they enjoyed this special house for 55 years.

It was not just the house, but there was a lot of laughter’s and music within the house. There was always music. Helen was singing or the kids were playing piano or Ed was plying the stereo. Edward iced the breezeway for a few years so the girl’s would have an ice skating rink. That made things a little tricky when trying to carry loads of groceries to the house. Edward also had a tandem bike for himself, Helen and one of the grandchildren. They’d ride on Fulton Street down to Gaslight Village to get an ice cream cone at Jersey Juntion. Holidays were always fun on Fulton Street. Sherrie always played the carols beautiful while the family would stand around the piano.

Sundays were always special to Edward. When the children were growing up he insisted they attend church in their Sunday’s best. Not a speck of lint anywhere. Sunday Mass was always important, but also Fingers restaurant, Charcoal Inn at the pantlind, or Charley’s Crab after Mass was pretty good too.

Family vacations were typical in many ways, but Ed always made sure the family leaned something even on the simple road trips. No one was allowed to sleep in the car. “Look out the window and learn something”, he’d say. The family rented cottages here and there and there were many fourth of Julys when Ed and Helen took some of the five grandchildren up to Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. He took his family to Washington DC and they really did see everything from the Declaration of Independence at the library of Congress to lunch at the capital with then Representative Gerry Ford.” Vacations are not for rest. Sleep when you get home”, he’d say.

Ed and Helen had a wonderful life together. They would go out to dinner and dancing .They enjoyed going to theater and the symphony. They enjoyed many summer meals on their breezeway. And Ed loved everything Helen cooked. They enjoyed driving to Lake Michigan on Saturdays for Mass and dinner. Helen and Ed visited California, Florida and New York often. They also went to Hawaii, Spain, Morocco, Rome, Venice, Italy and Paris.

Ed was full of life and full of laughter. He was handsome, youthful, hard working, and compassionate. His mind was sharp as a tack until three days before he passed. He took care of all his personal business and medical discussion until three days before he passed. He was blessed with a healthy life. He never had any broken bones, no surgeries, and no serious illness until he developed prostate cancer when he was 78.

Ed passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2011 at the age of ninety in Grand Rapids, at his home. Ed fought a brave battle against blood loss due to Leukemia for 15 months. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen of 68 years; his loving daughters, Sherry (Mrs. Robert Greene), and Cindy Mather; his loving grandchildren, Stephen, Michael and Sarah Greene, Christine Mather, and Caroline (Mrs. Tim Doyle); his loving great grandchildren, David, Claudia, and Evelyn Doyle; Ed's siblings, Charlotte (Mrs. John Arsulowicz), and sister-in-law, Josephine Kalisz; and his devoted nephew, Stan Wisinski and his family (Phyllis, Marianne and Brad); and many numerous nieces and nephews. Ed also leaves behind many friends and acquaintances. Throughout Edward's life, his first passion was his family and there was a very special place in his heart for every one of them. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Isidore's Catholic Church, 628 Diamond Ave. N.E. with Rev. George Fekete as Celebrant. With Military Honors. Edward was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the west side