Obituary of Mieczyslaw Zurawski

Mieczyslaw Zurawski was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He left this world peacefully on December 9, 20023 at the age of 78 at Upstate University hospital, Syracuse, NY. He was born in Ksiaznik, Poland to Adam and Kazimiera Zurawski on November 26, 1945. Mieczyslaw had an adventurous childhood and was always getting into trouble with his seven brothers. In Kosow Lacki, Poland he met his beloved wife Marianna and they wed in 1974 surrounded by family and friends. They were blessed with five children and two grandchildren, and he worked hard to make sure they were taken care of and felt loved every day. Mieczyslaw was a godly man who centered his life on the ways of his Creator. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8). By prioritizing his faith and demonstrating a heart devoted to the Lord, he created an environment for his family to embrace their own faith journeys. He was also prepared with a bucket of water at the ready in case a family member didn't embrace getting out of bed for church that morning. Mieczyslaw was an extremely hard worker to provide for this family and give them the life he felt they deserved. In 1993 he uprooted his life and moved his family across the world for a chance at a better life for his kids. From a young age he started working on the family farm and eventually took over running the farm when his stepfather passed. He also had a position as a farm equipment operator at a local business. When he arrived in the States, he and his wife got a custodial position at the University Hotel. Much of his time in the States he worked for the Marcellus Casket Company. After many years the company closed, and he went back to working custodial jobs with his wife. He was a true wilderness person and was most happy in the great outdoors in every season. In the summer you could most likely find him down by the shore fishing. Many memories were made around a bonfire, feasting on his catch of the day and enjoying his company. Autumn was another favorite of his because he loved to forage for mushrooms. He was so knowledgeable about various types of mushrooms and had a killer mushroom soup recipe he made himself. Winter he was back on the water ice fishing and Spring brought more fishing and planting flowers and gardening. By showing such strength after losing his soulmate it inspired his kids to be strong enough to handle losing their parents. He showed them that even after losing his wife he carried on and continued to be the backbone of the family. Mieczyslaw even discovered his hidden talent for cooking and baking and all the taste testers and critics agree that his skills were superb. His house always had the most beautiful dahlias and roses on the block that he tended to each year. Mieczyslaw also enjoyed music and going out dancing to his favorite Polish songs, not many could keep up with him! Mieczyslaw is survived by his five children, Marek, Agnieszka, Monika, Dorota, Sylwester; two grandchildren, Cameron and Artemis; son in law, Patrick; future daughter in law, Kristin; and siblings, Eugeniusz, Czeslaw, Stanislaw, and Kazimierz. He was predeceased in death by his parents Adam and Kazimiera Zurawski and his stepfather Julian Skladanowski, his wife, Marianna and his siblings Wieslaw, Mieczyslaw, Marian.

Calling hours will be held at Hollis Funeral Home in Syracuse on Thursday December 14, 2023, from 5pm to 7pm. A funeral mass will be on Friday December 15, 2023, at 9:30 am at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetry, Lakeland.

Live Stream: The Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus

https://youtube.com/channel/UC627EHFMSk7NwmBAAGCBdDA