George Leonard Kaczmarski of Indianapolis passed away on June 9, 2022. He was born on December 14, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest of four children, to his late parents, Alexander and Elinor (Fary) Kaczmarski. George embraced his South Side of Chicago roots and was a lifelong White Sox fan.
George was a graduate of St. Rita High School and Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a proud alumnus of Butler University College of Pharmacy. Additionally, he enjoyed reminiscing of his summer semester at Ole Miss.
George worked at Walgreens during high school which spurred his interest in pharmacy. George started working at Hamaker Pharmacy in Indianapolis while at Butler, and returned as a pharmacist in January of 1971. He was the proprietor and lead pharmacist of Hamaker Pharmacy from 1988 until its closing in 2007. George embodied the Hamaker pharmacy tenet, “the store of quality and service and courtesy,” each day. Later, George was a pharmacist at Walgreens until his retirement in 2012. He was also co-owner with his wife of Hamaker Shopping Corner in Indianapolis from 1992 to 2008.
George married his wife Judith (Chambers) Kaczmarski, who survives, on May 26, 1973 in Henry, Illinois, and together they recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. George and Judy consider their four children their greatest gifts: Dr. Jake Kaczmarski (Catarina Malafaia) of Miami, Florida, Dr. Kathleen (Scott) Bradley of Indianapolis, Paul Kaczmarski (Heather Adams) of Indianapolis, and Dr. Michael (Bettyna) Kaczmarski of Orlando, Florida. The joys of his later years were his five grandchildren: Julia, Lucy, Ruby, Brooke, and Cameron Bradley of Indianapolis.
George is also survived by his sister, Cathy (Michael) Starosta of Tennessee, and brothers, Sandy (Joan) Kaczmarski of Florida and John (Carol) Kaczmarski of Illinois; his brother-in-law Patrick (Terry) Chambers of Illinois; nieces and nephews David and Julie Starosta, Alex and Jennifer Kaczmarski, Benjamin and Elizabeth Kaczmarski, John and Luke Chambers, and Diane (Chambers) Weaver. George was preceded in death by his in-laws Walter and Rita Chambers.
George was a member and past president of the Northside/Washington Township Lions Club for 30 years. While it had been some time since he participated, every year during the Indiana State Fair, he recalled fond memories volunteering at the Lions Club Corn Booth with his sons. George was an avid gardener, planning each summer garden beginning in the fall of the prior year; it is likely that George enjoyed the planning more than the gardening, and certainly more than the weeding. The garden has decreased in size over the years, where it is now limited to 10 varieties of tomatoes. His final garden was recently planted, the fruit of which will be enjoyed in the coming months.
George was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and Papa to his grandchildren. George was happiest when spending time with his family. He was a volunteer coach at First Baptist Athletics in Indianapolis for 10 years, coaching each of his four children in the 6-8 year old baseball league. George and Judy started cruising with their young children which quickly became a favorite vacation. George and Judy cruised to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean. For the past 40 years, one of George’s favorite places to visit was Hueston Woods State Park in Ohio. George was a fan of the Indianapolis 500, bringing his eldest son to his first 500 in 1986, and his younger children to their first in 1992. That began an annual tradition which will be carried on into the future. Memorial Day weekend is a reunion of sorts for the Kaczmarski family, bringing all children home. The recent 2022 Memorial Day weekend will be especially cherished.
George was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church in Indianapolis.
Visitation for George will be from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Sunday, June 19th at Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel and again from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm on Monday, June 20th at St. Luke Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial begins at 1:00 pm in the church. Interment follows at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested in his name to Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leppertmortuary.com for the Kaczmarski family.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5