George Kaminski Obituary

I was very fortunate to have known George since our sons were in Scouts together. He became scout leader when no one else would take on the responsibility. He wasn't the most patient man and to take on a group of 9 year olds shows how much he cared. Later I was so happy when he married my friend Judy, and he remained in my life. I miss you so much and will always have my memories of you. Thanks for being a part of my life.

I have never forgotten you, George. So many of our peers have been lost over the recent years as it must have been Gods' choice that you be called home. God Bless you, George.I always loved your spirit and happiness and your gentle ways. I am also sorry for the passsing of Mon July 13, 2016. Funny, (13) has always been my lucky number. I don't know what the significaance is, but I accept it aas a good omen. It is amazing how long your other lived. I know both of you have been taken care of over the years before your departure for a better place. I am to be 88 soon and I don't know why I have lived so long. Is it reward or punishment or neither. God Bless you Judy and sustain you. You are remarkable and I know you had many happy years with George.

Submitted to Facebook on August 2, 2016

Yesterday my dear Uncle George passed away. He battled ALS for the past two years. He has been in my life since I was 6 years old. These are some things that I will remember most about him
He was an extremely smart, funny and helpful man who could fix just about anything. He always had an answer for that thing.
He loved the Chicago White Sox, classic cars, eating Mexican food, Dad's Apple Dapple cake, & Linda's chocolate chip cookies.
He loved playing games especially Trivia and Words with Friends (determined to win every game he played against my mom).
He loved watching the 4th of July fireworks at Lake Katherine (and seemed amazed by the wonder of it all each and every year.)
He loved hearing, or telling, a good joke (especially one with an impersonation).
He especially loved my Auntie Judy, his Mom Mollie, his kids, grandkids and boxer Max. He loved Shan, Matt, Beth and me like we were his own. He loved Auntie Carol, Uncle Dave, Auntie Peppy, & my mom and dad (his BFF).
He loved many things in his lifeand we, his family, loved him so very much.
What I loved the most about my Uncle George was his bravery, courage, and unwavering strength. He met life's challenges head on (and with a great head of hair no less!)Whenever life presents me with a challenge, I will always think of my uncle, his determination, and how he kept on living, even when living proved to be difficult. He never gave up. He is, and will forever be, one of the strongest men I know. We love you, Uncle George. We will miss you dearly. Thank you for all of the wonderful times and great memories that we shared together as a family.

Until we meet again--Love always and forever.

Dear Uncle George,
This is not an easy letter to write. I cannot begin to imagine what it has been like going through your battle with ALS. I wanted to write you and let you know how brave you have been since your diagnosis. Your positive disposition and motivation to continue to do the things that you enjoy has been an inspiration to us all. I have tried to keep our relationship as normal as possible when we have been together because I know if I was in your position I would not want to be treated any differently. I want you to know that does not mean I don't care. I have had a very difficult time seeing this happen to you and I don't understand what God's plan is and why you were dealt this hand. You do not deserve this. You mean a great deal to me. The support you have given me over the years has been unbelievable. How many uncles go to all those football games and travel all over the State? You have always been in my corner and I want you to know that I am always in yours as well. I wanted a chance to tell you that I love you and that you are one of the greatest people I have ever known. I have a very hard time accepting the fact that my kids are not going to get to have you in their lives and they will miss out on knowing an amazing person. I know you will be watching down on us and I just hope we make you proud. You will always be with me and I will always cherish all the time we have spent together.

Love you always,
Matthew

Dear Judy & Fmly's,

Our deepest sympathy to you and the fmly's. Know they'll be there for you along with all your good friends to give you love & support. Wish we could do more for you as well.
Your memorial was beautiful, it was George. He had a dry sense of humor which I thought was funny as well.
George was kind. Whenever he brought Molly for hair appointments he often stopped in to chat with Jim & brought him some sort of treat. He liked George & enjoyed those visits.
Yes, George was strong with all he went through & I admire him so. But you too are strong seeing the person you love dearly go through with that terrible disease. At the same time you took care of your Mom and you loved her dearly in a different way.
I wish you peace & in time some happiness will come. Take care of yourself now.

Love,

Pat & Mary

What can I say about my Dad? He was a handsome, tall, strong, imposing figure. He could be quite scary if you didn't know him. I remember my cousins Laura, Jeanie and Karen hiding underneath the coffee table, looking up with terror in their eyes at a million foot tall giant with dark hair and black glasses.

He loved jokes he shared countless Polish jokes he'd hear at work. My favorite was the Polish switchblade, made up of a wooden clothes pin and two popsicle sticks attached with rubber bands.

He was a horrible tease. He'd tickle George and I until we cried or wound up bumping his glasses, which would immediately end the playing. He'd get angry that we bent his glasses. . . . .but you were tickling us!! Then there was the look. You would get the look if you messed up at school or did something really dumb. The look was worse than a spanking. I inherited the look. . .

He used to tease me about how strong I was he told me I was the only one that could hurt his hands throwing a 16 softball or that I could squeeze a washcloth dry. He'd say I didn't have any hair on my knuckles because my fingers dragged on the ground. I also inherited his man hands. To this day, I can't buy women's gloves.

If you are familiar with the original Star Trek, you know that the Vulcan grip was a vice-like hold delivered by Mr. Spock, typically on the neck/shoulder. Dad did a Vulcan grip to your knee. Piercing screams, head hitting walls, George writing in pain on the floor of Dad's beloved Impala typically ensued. Luckily, with my man hands as I got older, I was able to get retribution on his knees!

He taught George and I how to use tools and fix things. We both learned how to reglaze, caulk windows and paint. He and I changed the water pump, lifters and rocker arms in my Nova, and changed the oil in the cars.

He taught us how to shoot. I don't think George remembers this because he was very little. At the apartment in Berwyn, he would place on of his old car models in a bucket surrounded by a seat cushion. He would hold a BB-gun pistol in my hands and help me aim and fire at the model. The plastic would explode! When we went up to Hayward, he brought along a pellet rifle and we spent many hours target shooting with cans and bottles.

Early memories of Hayward are walking down the long drive at Windigo Lake with my head buried in his neck because it was pitch black. I also remember being out on the lake with him and mom when a storm was coming in and having to sit in the very front of the boat to try to keep the boat down. That's probably where my fear of open water came from!

Holiday parties with the Lovisa's would mean charades. When I was in 5th or 6th grade I got to play along with the adults. Mom and I always had a connection so when I pulled Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me we got it right away. On my next turn, I pulled The Guadalcanal Diary one of Dad's. I could hardly pronounce the word let alone act it out!

He loved dogs. Our first Boxer, Maggie, then Max and then my Swissies. He enjoyed hearing about our dog shows, working events and cross country travels.

He was always a source of advice, whether it was for work, home maintenance, yards, cars. I miss that already. He has left a huge hole in my heart and will be missed forever.

Love you dad.

I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Judy for about 20 years, that is how I met George--working so closely with Judy we shared many moments and events that they shared--I would always listen and usually laugh at the many different things George did or said to her. George was George even when his illness was diagnosed and his condition got worse he never complained he just let you know who was in charge and if you did not do it George's way he would definitely let you know. The strengths of his convictions never diminished. I will forever remember George for all his attributes and willingness to be George. Tracy thank you for taking such good care of George. There is a saying: You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have--Judy you
exemplified this.

Thank you again for including us at the memorial service for George. It was beautiful. We laughed and cried. He was a man of truth, respect and kindness. The courage you both showed for the past few years was amazing. When we visited, you always put us at ease. Rest in peace Gearge under your beautiful tree. Like you it will be strong. Love Pat and Mary

We will miss his neighborly waves of hello and his smiling face as he tended to his manicured home and lawn.

Pete & Kate , Woodridge

Dear Judy and Family,

We were both so saddened to learn of George's passing on August 1. He was a wonderful neighbor who always greeted us with a smile, took time to talk and offered insights from his experiences that could help with a difficult situation or problem. In the years before his affliction, we would frequently see him outside tending to his yard and garden which he worked hard to keep in immaculate condition. Often in the Spring ---during weeks of especially fast growth, you might seem him out twice in one week (Could that have been 3 times on occasion?) mowing the lawn to keep it in perfect shape. There was nary a weed to be found either. We are heartened to hear that there will be a lasting reminder of him in the form of a Red Maple tree right on the golf course adjacent to his home on the 17th fairway. The colors in the fall will be beautiful reminder of him. Of course, we will both miss the good years when he was around and feeling well, but know he is now in a better place and at peace.

Dear Judy and Family:
All of us send you our prayers, love and thoughts. You are all in our proayer. Love: The 10th floor girls.

Hello Judy & Family. We send our deepest sympathy & prayers to you all. George was a really nice guy.
Love, Marge & Don Johnson

Working with George for many years was a pleasurable experience, he was a kind and generous person who gave his personal time,to those who needed help.
George, Paul and myself,spent coffee breaks competing on crossword puzzles. For many years George and I have been playing "words with FRIENDS" and enjoyed every minute of it.
Barb and I want express our sympathies to you Judy and the family.

I remember meeting George a few times and what a nice person he was. I also thought that George and Judy were so very close and how impressive that was. May he rest in peace.

Judy, Over long distance and long years passed, please know I send my sympathy for your loss, and I wish you every comfort in the times ahead. I like to remember Dr. Seuss, who says, " Don't cry because it's over. Smile, because it happened." Nancy Hatten Clark

I grew up in the same neighborhood as George and we went to grade school, and Tilden Technical High School together. We fell out of touch going to seperate colleges but, through the magic of the internet, found each other again a few years ago. George was a great guy in high school and had not changed in later years. George and I enjoyed classic cars and met at numerous events. George and Judy had us down to their home in the Chicago area where our wives and George and I had great get togethers. George as always was the tall, good looking gentleman and a man I was proud to call friend.

William T. and Mary Ann Martin III (Okemos, MI)

I'll always remember George for his good nature and sense of humor. He brought much fun and laughter to his co-workers. My prayers are with Judy and the family at this difficult time.

Was so glad knowing you and Judy . Enjoyed playing words with friends with you

I will always remember the many Holidays we spent together as kids, and many Saturday nights at my parent's house. They are good memories of our two families and many fun times. Rest in Peace George.

Cousin Sharon

I will always remember our families coming together for all of the Holidays when we were kids and all of the Saturday nights at my parent's house. Those were fun times and I am glad we shared them together. Rest in Peace.

Cousin Sharon

I will cherish our special sense of truly sophomoric 'guy humor' we shared, especially while playing cards with the girls on Saturday nights.
Our record breaking round trip to Flint is one of the 'highlights' of our friendship.

Our deepest condolences to you, Judy. George suffered silently but always retained his dignity and inner strength living with the cruelty of ALS. We miss you Jorge