John Hilary Waurzyniak Jul 11, 1925 - Sep. 11, 1980		Random Thoughts - Dolores ( Ochylski ) Waurzyniak
Hilary, while still in high school, went sailing on the Great Lakes. He was a wheelsman. Then joined the Navy. He completed his education, sometimes doing his home work on the end of the local bar. He received his diploma during the war. After his hitch in service, he joined the Detroit Fire Dept. as a Fire Engine Operator. He married Myrle Jane (McDermott) and raised one son and three daughters. They built a retirement home on Long Lake, Hartland, Mi. Hilary continued to work, now as a fire-saftey guard for the state of Michigan Regional Center. Sadly he passed away Sept.,1980. Jane lived there three or four years. Moved to Haslett Ml. in 1984. She retired in 1989 after working for the state since 1978. She now resides in Mt. Clements, MI. Jane passed away Nov. 17, 1995. Hilary and I could have an argument at the drop of a hat, but he was always a good friend to both George and me. Many times Hil and I took opposite opinions to enjoy a rousing debate. I remember one time Suzie was just a tiny baby, George was working and Suzie was screaming her head off!!! I asked Hil to go to the drug store and buy her a pacifier. He obliged and came back with the only one he could find, it was a very hard plastic. I was very grateful!!! I popped it into her		mouth and in a split second she popped it right back OUT!! What a dilemma, Hil put it back in and again she spit it out but the good news was it became a game and she stopped crying! This was taken for a newspaper article on March 1, 1950 (The Detroit Times), about firefighters guarding coal for poor families. - Theresa
John Hilary Waurzyniak Jul 11, 1925 - Sep. 11, 1980
Hilary would come over to Knodell street on Sunday morning so we could go to mass. On our arrival home there were the two of them sleeping in that big rocking chair. He would even help with her bath! We would have lunch together, then he would be off and running! This picture is my (and my siblings) favorite from my parent's wedding, Jan 3, 1953. My mother HATED it but it captures such a spontaneous moment. - Theresa		One time the pipes in that old steam furnace broke and the whole house was full of steam (I thought it was smoke and called the fire department) The fire men told me to have George come home I called but before George got home (On three street cars later) Hilary was there fixing the pipe. When we moved into mom and dads upper flat on Gray Ave. it was great. We were expecting our second child and mom was a great help and comfort to me. When she took a trip with dad we had Joanna stay with us and we kept each other company. Hilary was another thing... I would do all the laundry at the same time. Hil said I gave the BEST under wear to George and gave him the older stuff!!! Well, I bought a bunch of tiny gold safety pins and attached one to every piece of Hilary's garments. I warned him NOT to remove them so what went into the wash...came back to him That settled that! As I said Hilary and I could have an argument at a drop of a hat...any time any place about any thing. When Karen was born I had a difficult time and had to go back to the hospital. I needed transfusions and Hilary was right there to give me his blood... After that any time I was in a particularly opinionated mood I said it was Hilary's strong willed blood talking.
John Hilary Waurzyniak Jul 11, 1925 - Sep. 11, 1980
One thing that drove me almost over the edge was...Hilary would light the hot water heater (Just pushed a button) shower, dress and be on his way to the BANK (this was a local bar in the neighbor hood, but it sounded better) with his buddies. He would forget to turn off the heater! Late at night, I would hear that hot water rumbling in the pipes. A small rocket ready to explode! Thank God I always turned it off in time! When he started to work for the fire department ...his work as engineer was excellent, but the department had one little complaint. Hilary would put his pay checks in his drawer and forget to cash time...The book keeping was all thrown off!		Here is a great picture of my dad holding Pat in March, 1957. - Theresa