Aloysius S. “Al” Gapinski

Aloysius S. Gapinski, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 31, 2016 in the Hospice House of South Bend. Al was born November 28, 1926 in South Bend, to the late Sylvester and Clara (Zmudzinski) Gapinski. Al was also preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Cheryl L. Carr.

On November 6, 1948, Al wed his loving wife, Betty (Chmilewski) Gapinski, who survives. Al is also survived by his children, Gerald J. (Lisa) Gapinski of West Bend, WI and Carol S. (Thomas) Downey of South Bend; sister, Eleanore (Richard) Jasinski of South Bend; son-in-law, James E. Carr of Granger; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Al was a 1945 graduate of South Bend Washington High School. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army having been drafted into service in the closing months of WWII, and was stationed at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. At the War’s close, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. Although extremely proud of his service, he seldom talked about it.

He was a member of several social and political organizations including the American Legion Post #357 and Post #284, Polish National Alliance #83, St. Hedwig Senior Club, and the West Side Democratic Club. In his younger years, Al was an avid bowler. Al retired from full-time work as a supervisor for the St. Joseph County Highway Department (North Liberty District) in 1991. He also worked many years at McCaffery Lighting and Electrical Supply and the Studebaker Corporation

He was a faithful parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Matthew, where he served as an usher for more than 50 years.

Visitation for Al will be Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. with a Rosary to be prayed at 4:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am with visitation at 9:00am in the Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1701 Miami St., South Bend, on Friday, January 6, 2017. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the General Funds of the Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1701 Miami St., South Bend, Indiana 46614 or St. Pius X., 52553 Fir Road, Granger, Indiana 46530.

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

06/14/2024 EJS