Edward A Swetich, 92, a lifelong Calumet resident, passed away peaceable after a short illness, on Tuesday Nov 28.
He was born on January 4, 1925 to Lucas Swetich and Antonio (Rozman) Swetich, one of 12 children.
He served in WWII with Patton’s 90th Infantry and was in all of the major battles of the European theatre; Normandy, Ardan Forest, Battle of the Buldge and others. He was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart.
After the war he worked for Joe Tyler as a logger. He used the GI bill to train to be a salesman and then worked first for Peterlin Distributing and then George Hocking in Hancock as a beer and wine salesman. After Mr. Hocking died, Ed went to work for Calumet Electronics’ in 1968, which was then a relatively new company. He worked there as a supervisor and foreman for 22 years until he retired.
He continued to work after retirement. He helped in the building and remodeling of what would become Calumet Mercantile, a business owned by his daughter and son-in-law. He remodeled the little yellow house with white picket fence, on 6th street; then owned by his daughter and son-in-law. And he helped in the building of the cabin they built near LacLabelle. Evidence of his workmanship can be seen at Calumet Mercantile, in the wood floors that he laid and the trim work he installed. His wife, now deceased, was the famous “Fudge Lady” and his youngest daughter worked there as well before she married.
He was married to Marion Elizabeth LaRochelle, who preceeded him in death in 1970, and is survived by their children, Donna (Swetich) Bausano and her husband Michael of Lac La belle; Debra Kay (Swetich) Simmons of Springfield, MO; Edward C. Swetich of Tumwater, WA; grandson Luke Swetich of Lacey, WA, and great grandson Dorian Swetich of Lacey, WA.
He married Mary (Bahor) Swetich in 1975, who preceeded him in death on November 20, 2017; and is survived by their daughter Rose (Swetich) Zawadski and her husband Andy, and granddaughter Carla Zawadski, all of Oxford, MI.
His parents and siblings preceeded him in death. Surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
Ed will be remembered for his love of the woods. He hunted and fished year around, regardless of the weather. He knew the best spots for cranberry or blueberry picking. He knew where every dirt road and trail in the Keweenaw led. He skied and snowshoed. His days in the woods and his love of the “bush” have created stories that will be told and passed down for generations. His family will miss his sense of humor and stimulating conversations. He is gone, but will never be forgotten.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Church at 11:00 am on Monday December 4, 2017 with Father Abraham Mupparathara to officiate and Deacon Art Stancher to assist.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.