Walter A. Zurawski

With his family by his side, Walter A. Zurawski passed away on Monday, November 10, 2014. Walter was born in Racine on March 12, 1930, son of the late Alex and Anna (Nee:  Brodzinski) Zurawski.

Walter, also known as Wally to his friends and family, was a graduate of William Horlick High School and then he proudly served in the United States Air Force. On July 10, 1954, at St. Rita Catholic Church he was united in marriage to Beverly G. Mackey. He was employed by J.I. Case for many years as a Technical Writer and retired from there in 1991. Wally was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church and he thoroughly enjoyed serving as a head usher, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He had a passion for football and coached for 45-plus years. He began coaching little league football with the YMCA, and then, as a co-founder of Racine Youth Sports, he continued to coach football until last year when he was 83 years old. He is known by many as “Coach Wally.” He also loved golf and spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed by his family.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty years, Beverly; his sons, Gregg Zurawski (fiancée, Kenya Benitez), Lane Zurawski; his daughters, Jody (Cary) O’Brien, Rondi (Gregg) Olson, Shelli (Ron) Farnsworth; his  ten grandchildren, Emily Smith-Zurawski, Nic Smith-Zurawski, Kaitlin Csonka, Megan Zurawski, Allison (Justin) Goar, April (David) Venne, Lane Olson, Miles Farnsworth, Tyler (Katie) Farnsworth, and Joshua Farnsworth; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Faith Venne; brothers, Casimir Zurawski and Don (Lee) Zurawski; sister, Jan Caretta; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Anna Zurawski, Jacque (Dave) Olson, Karyne Frank; special extended family, Marla Smith, Ron and Dee Nelson;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Frank Zurawski; sisters, Angeline Selear and Helen Gemmell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 17, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339  Douglas Ave., with Rev. Kevin Mullins O.S.A. officiating.  Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Sunday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Hospital and Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.  

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI    (262) 634-7888