Victor J. Kruczynski, Sr.

Victor Joseph Kruczynski, age 91, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2013. Born on July 6, 1921 in Worcester to Stanislaw and Aleksandra (Lewonczyk) Kruczynski. He leaves his devoted and beloved wife of 62 years, Sally Ann (Feeherry) Kruczynski and six children: Anne Brochu, Victor, Jr., Mary McNamara, Clare Liberis, David, and Christopher and his wife Tina. He was known as "Dziadzi" to his eight loving grandchildren, Alyssa and David Brochu, Emily Lazzaro, and William Liberis, Meghan and Christopher McNamara and Eliza and Nicholas Kruczynski. He also leaves a great grandson, Shane McNamara and a great granddaughter, Madison Mowatt. He was predeceased by five siblings: Stanley, Leo, Jean Zukas, Theresa Serafin, and Angela Stakun. He is survived by brothers Peter and Chester and several nieces and nephews. Victor attended St. Mary's elementary and secondary schools in Worcester and graduated from the former Classical High School. He joined the United States Marine Corp in 1942 serving as a rifle expert and instructor during World War II. He was promoted to Sergeant, and fought in Okinawa during the final stages of the Pacific campaign. In October, 1945 he participated in the surrender ceremonies of the Japanese military forces in Tsingtao, China. After the war, he worked for 35 years in the U.S. Postal Service, first as a letter carrier and then as a mechanic who maintained and repaired state-of-the-art letter-sorting machines. He was a member of the Polish American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and the White Eagle Club in Worcester. Victor was a devoted family man and a faithful parishioner of the former Ascension Church and St. John's Parish. His passions included cooking for his family - especially in the Summer months - using vegetables and fruits from his cherished backyard garden, vacationing in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and clandestine trips to Foxwoods with his wife and friends. He will be missed by his family, his neighborhood, his community, and his country for his warm smile, generous heart, and unwavering loyalty. Semper Fidelis. Family and friends whose lives Victor touched are invited to the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester on Friday, March 22nd, from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to St. John Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. To share your thoughts and memories of Victor, please visit his personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com