One Less Ww2 Vet
10-12-2005, 09:16 PM
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Alex Zukowski, my 87 year old grandfather passed away not 20 minutes ago. A decorated Vet, who survived both being on the first wave of Omaha Beach (saving private ryan) and the Battle of the Bulge. He also was among the first american soldiers into Paris, finally succumed to the effects of old age, cancer, diabeties, altziemers, and the after effects of surgery to repair his broken hip.
It was the hip that did him in. He was never "right" after the surgery, suffering from "Post surgical Dementia" brought on by the stress, pain, and drugs used to knock him out for the surgery.
Not only was he a decorated Veteren, he also survived 25 years as an Iron Ore Miner in the UP of Michigan. He worked the most dangerous job in the mines. Working hand in hand with the guys who planted dynamite, it was his job to hoist an air powered street jack onto his shoulders and drill UP so they could place the Charge. Often they worked in unstable areas with little support or even hope of survival if all went wrong.
He lived a good life, two daughters, one son. Eight Grand Kids, so far seven great grand kids, and my Grandmother all survive him. He will be sorely missed, he has already been sorely missed. Most of us said our goodbyes already when it was evident he was already gone with the Dementia. It was just a matter or time until his body finally gave out.
He died peacefully, in his sleep, not in pain. That is more than anybody else could have asked for.
It was the hip that did him in. He was never "right" after the surgery, suffering from "Post surgical Dementia" brought on by the stress, pain, and drugs used to knock him out for the surgery.
Not only was he a decorated Veteren, he also survived 25 years as an Iron Ore Miner in the UP of Michigan. He worked the most dangerous job in the mines. Working hand in hand with the guys who planted dynamite, it was his job to hoist an air powered street jack onto his shoulders and drill UP so they could place the Charge. Often they worked in unstable areas with little support or even hope of survival if all went wrong.
He lived a good life, two daughters, one son. Eight Grand Kids, so far seven great grand kids, and my Grandmother all survive him. He will be sorely missed, he has already been sorely missed. Most of us said our goodbyes already when it was evident he was already gone with the Dementia. It was just a matter or time until his body finally gave out.
He died peacefully, in his sleep, not in pain. That is more than anybody else could have asked for.
10-13-2005, 05:04 AM
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I'm sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds like a great man who served United States with honor. we are here for you if you want to talk...
