EDMUND V."BUD" ROZYCKI
(1919-2011)
Edmund Vincent Rozycki, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on October 21, 2011, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was always known as "Buddy" or "Bud".
Born on January 5, 1919 in Chicago, Bud was the oldest of three children of Vincent Charles and Lillian Otolski Rozycki. He graduated from Carl Scherer High School in northwest Chicago in 1937 and attended Wright Junior College. For five summers he worked at the Farm Kitchen in Beriboo, WI, advancing from "pot walloper" to head waiter. In June 1940, Bud joined the Marine Corps, choosing the shortest line at the Chicago recruiting station. He arrived at the San Diego Recruiting Depot to begin basic training, graduating as honor man of the platoon, an indication of his leadership potential and his commitment to the Marine Corps. Training in electronics and Morse code led Bud to work with radar. After the attack on Pearl Harbor he joined other Marines on the ocean liner Lurline to travel to American Samoa where he stayed for 2 1/2 years. In 1943, Bud and the other Marines headed for the Gilbert Islands, where he came ashore after the horrific invasion of Tarawa, to set up the radar unit on Betio Atoll. He took part in the capture of Kwajelein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, then returned to the US mainland for further training until the end of WWII.
Bud served his country in four wars: World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. In the late 1940's, Bud was stationed in Okinawa with the occupation forces, where he learned to scuba dive, an activity he loved. In the early 1950's he served in Korea, and again in Okinawa. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to officer corps, and was seconded to the Army at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX to work in the development of guided missile technology. He trained at Ft. Churchill in Manitoba, Canada for three months, one of his most memorable experiences. Bud's last tour of duty was at Camp Smith in Honolulu, HI, where he retired in 1972 as a major, after 32 years in the Marine Corps. In 1974 he was hired at the Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard as an electronics expert. He loved Hawaii and the tropics, finding it to be a special place to live, seeing the unique beauty of each day. He said each day, "It's a beautiful day!"
Bud enjoyed the outdoors, spending time hiking the back areas of Camp Elliot and Camp Pendleton, as well as the water, serving as swimming coach for the local swim team that included his children, nieces and nephew. As a competitive swimmer in his youth, and later as a swimming coach, he continued to enthusiastically encourage and support his children and nieces and nephew, and others, to feel special and accomplished in their swimming efforts. Bud loved sailing and scuba diving, was an active member of several diving clubs, lastly with the Sea Wolves in Honolulu. Bud was a lifelong learner who never stopped educating himself; he enjoyed new studies and experiences and truly loved to share his knowledge. Bud is remembered for his solid handshake "with the guys" and for his charm with the ladies, kissing their hands. He loved holding hands with his wife and small children, feeling the energy transmitted to both persons. Though the stern Marine in photos, he is remembered as a loving, happy, social person with a quick smile who was open to all and wanted to be part of others' lives.
Bud married Mary Elizabeth Hasbrouck in 1946 with whom he had 2 children, Stephanie Ann, now of Hamden, CT, and Vincent Charles, now of Anahola, Kauai. In 2004 he married his beloved Rosemary Casey who survives him. He is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sisters Dorothy Pauline (Rozycki) Lesak and Joan Lillian (Rozycki) Caldwell, and his first wife Mary Elizabeth Hasbrouck Rozycki.
Bud was a faithful and valued member of the Newman Center-Holy Spirit Catholic parish in Honolulu for more than 30 years. He is remembered as a person who loved everyone, and was open to new friendships particularly with those who could carry on a good conversation. Laughter, music, and people made him joyful. A rosary and wake will be held at Borthwick Mortuary on Wednesday, October 26 at 7 pm. His funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 4:30 pm at the Newman Center-Holy Spirit Parish at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Free parking is available at St. Francis School on Pamoa Road. Aloha attire please. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bud's name to the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Honolulu, or to the Renee Heyum Pacific Islander Endowment scholarship fund at the University of Hawaii Foundation.
Library for Blind & Physically Handicapped U.H. Foundation, P.O. Box 11270, Honolulu HI 96828-0270, Memo: Renee Heyum Pacific Islander Endowment, 402 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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