Zdzislaus M. Lisiecki

Zdzislaus M. "Benny" Lisiecki, 95, Rockford, died at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2012 in Provena St. Anne Center.Born April 19, 1917 in Chicago, son of Ignacius and Josephine (Cegielski) Lisiecki.Married Hedwig Olszewski in Rockford in October of 1941.She died March 8, 1982.He then married Dr. Novella Schafer on April 28, 1984.Veteran of the U.S. Army.He retired from Barber Colman in 1982 after 37 years of employment.He was a member of St. Stanislaus Church where he assisted with starting their Bond Dinner, sang in the choir and was a member their Holy Name Society. He and Hedy often led the Grand March for the weddings there. Benny was also a 3 rd degree member of Knights of Columbus Muldoon Council 470, and a 4 th degree member of the General Assembly 190. He was a member of the Retired YMCA Mens Club and the Lombardi Club.He had been an active member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union and served as president of the Rockford Chapter.Bennys life took him down many interesting paths.He and his brother were placed in an orphanage in Lackewanna, NY when he was 6 years old.He was allowed to stay there until he was 16 when he had to live on the streets and rode the trains for survival. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for several months until he was 19, then joined the U.S. Army where he was sent to Panama to guard the canal.He was then sent to Rockford in 1941 to help reopen Camp Grant, having to stay in the Nelson Hotel until the barracks were built.He was discharged from the Army because of medical reasons due to yellow fever he contracted while in Panama.He then worked for the U.S. Postal Service and took classes until he began his longtime job with Barber Colman.Benny was an outgoing personality who enjoyed people and visiting with them.He was a great storyteller who enjoyed being a prankster.He was an intelligent man who was a good organist and when traveling had his own GPS in his head, always knowing where he was going.He also enjoyed golf and fishing.Survivors include his wife, Dr. Novella Schafer; daughter and her family by proxy, Anna (Joe) Wojewodzki and their sons, Christopher (Erin)and Thomas Wojewodzki.Predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers and a sister.Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 14, 2012 in St. Stanislaus Church with Rev. Duriusz Barna officiating.Burial in Calvary Cemetery.Visitation from 57 p.m. Thursday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m.Visitation also from 9:00 a.m. until time of the Mass at the church on Friday.Memorials may be made to the family.Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.