Donald Thomas Kaczmarek
9/13/1930 – 9/13/2012
Don Kaczmarek
Don was born to Sylvester and Marie Kaczmarek (nee Aleksy) in Chicago on 9/13/1930. Donald was a loving husband to Pearl (Therese) and father to Steven (partner William Glewicz) and Rev. David, TOR. Donald was a loving brother to JoAnn, and the late Anna Mae and the late Leonard. He was also a doting “grandpa to Steve and Bill’s cairn terriers Yuki, and the late Scruffy.
Don’s father loved him greatly and encouraged him to be what he wanted to be. Don instilled the same values in his sons, and supported them in their individual endeavors – Steve as an independent contractor and then writing manager at Microsoft, and David as a Franciscan brother and priest. He embraced his sons close friends as his own sons, most notably Steven’s 27 year partner William, and David’s and our family’s close friend Art Ysmael whom Donald considered another son.
Don served in the United States Army in the Korean War, and as a result of his studies found his career as an electrical engineer.
Don enjoyed a loving and large extended family that loved and cherished him in return. His greatest friends were Scruffy (Steve and Bill’s cairn terrier, now passed) and Yuki (Scruffy’s successor J ). Scruffy will be especially excited to see grampa again. Who knows what mischief they will cook up together in heaven?!
Don married Pearl on April 30, 1955. They celebrated 57 years together. In 2012, they moved to the east coast to be closer to family and settled happily in Bothell, Washington. He passed away on his 82nd birthday. He was much loved, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
We loved Dad and he loved us. Dad, you will be missed!!