ZBYSZKO ADAM MAZEWSKI
1934-2017
It is with great sadness that the family of Adam Zbysko Mazewski announces his passing on Friday, June 23rd, 2017, at the age of 82. He was surrounded by his family and had the opportunity to say his final goodbyes. Zbysko passed away eleven months after the death of his wife, Antonina (Mikulicz) Mazewski. They were childhood soul mates since elementary school and after 58 years of marriage he rejoins his beloved wife. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all who knew him.
Preceded by his mother Leokadia Grabowska Marzewska, father Jozef Mazewski and his infant brother Ryszard Mazewski. Survived by his daughter Jolanta Antonina Mazewski-Dryden and her husband Thomas Curtis, and his son Richard Zbyszko Mazewski and his wife Susan Solomon. Zbyszko will also be forever remembered by his grandchildren Thaddeus Alexander Curtis, Shaun Austin Caswell and Erica Alexis Cassandra Dryden; Richard Adam Mazewski and his wife Joselyn; Nicole Baca and her husband Nate; Christen Nations and her husband Dusty as well as great grandchildren Kaitlyn Marie Maerz and Harley Michelle Baca; Karson Allen, Jayden Cole, and Aubrey Faith Nations; and Gideon Joseph Mazewski.
Born on November 7, 1934 in Konojady, Poland, he was raised by his grandmother and aunt. He lived in Gdynia, went to elementary school in Lembargu, and finished Technium in Brodnica. Zbyszko went through tough times while in school as he was called a capitalist since his father emigrated overseas. Zbyszko was in the Polish Air Force, captain of the volleyball team, worked in the shipyards, and survived the harsh life of World War II. He reunited with Antonina and married on May 16, 1958, in Poznan. On February 20, 1959, his daughter Jolanta Antonina was born.
He was the first Polish immigrant to legally immigrate from a communist country to Houston, Texas in 1959. Not knowing English at the time, he was able to find employment with Big Three Industries and created a home for his wife and daughter who immigrated in 1962. On September 30, 1964, his son Richard Zbyszko was born, and was the first-generation Polish-Texan in the family. In his early years, to stay active and learn more English, he played soccer on the various leagues in Memorial Park. He worked for TODD Shipyard, FW Gartner, and Aztec Rental before retiring in 1997.
He was very active, along with his wife, in the Polish community for over six decades. His involvement revolved around the Polish National Alliance, Polish American Congress, Polish Catholic Mission, and Polish Home holding various titles and positions. He managed the Friday night dances at the old Polish Home, booked new Texas bands and he loved being involved with young adults, as they all knew Mr. Adam.
Zbyszko, along with his wife, created the Polish Eagle Dance group that preformed traditional Polish folk dances throughout the state of Texas for over three decades. He received many awards and accolades over the years from the Polish American Congress, PNA, Texas Heritage, St Cyril and Methodius, City of Houston, State of Texas, and the Silver Medal for Merit of Culture awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
Known as Dzadek or Dza Dza to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Pan Mazewski, Adam, or Zbyszek to friends, and Tata to his children, he was loved by many. He had a smile for everyone and enjoyed a lively conversation that seemed to start with “Let me tell something.”
The visitation will be held on Thursday, June 29 from 6-10pm with a 7pm rosary at Woodlawn Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 10am on Friday, June 30 at Our Lady of Czestochowa, 1731 Blalock Road
Houston,TX 77080. The burial will immediately follow the service.