There is no easy way to announce the death of your 18 year old son, but with deep sadness and heavy hearts we announce that we lost our beloved son, brother and uncle, Leszek Adam Wasylewski, who left our earthly presence on Saturday, October 28, 2017 as the result of a tragic traffic accident.
Visitation for Leszek will be Wednesday, November 1st from 4pm-8pm at St Augustine Catholic Church in Boyne Falls. A rosary will be prayed at 6pm and a vigil service with time for sharing memories at 7pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 2nd at 11:00am, the family will receive visitors two hours before. Fr. Don Geyman will officiate and burial will be in St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery. Memorials can be made to St Augustine Building Fund.
Leszek was born on September 18, 1999 in Gaylord, the third of four children to Frank and Anna (Sadowska) Wasylewski of Elmira/Boyne Falls.
How do you even begin to tell the story of a young man freshly out of high school and ready to take on the world? He was the boy that knew how to live life to the fullest, with infectious charm and smile, always active and always ready for adventure and challenge.
From his earliest years he loved sports, playing just about every sport he could, golf, soccer, pee-wee football, basketball and most especially baseball. He loved water and snow sports too and made everything look effortless the first time he did it. For his thirteenth birthday he got a unicycle and mastered it within days. Leszek also loved NASCAR, finally attending a race this summer. Leszek’s truck was easily identified by the full size “3” on the back window.
Leszek lived life without fear. When he was 13 he travelled from China alone after spending a summer with his uncle and family who were living there at the time. At 16 he travelled alone to Poland to visit his uncle and family, and wasn’t even phased when he missed his last plane to Traverse City and had to spend the night at Chicago O’Hare-outside the security gates!
At the beginning of his senior year of high school, he found his life’s passion. He took a welding course and was instantly hooked and pursued it with a vengeance. That year our house was full of welded items: a metal Christmas tree, a small replica of the Mackinac Bridge and even a metal rose for Mother’s Day, just to name a few. It was the beginning of his career path. After graduating as Salutatorian and Class President of the Boyne Falls Class of 2017, he enrolled in Kirtland College where he was pursuing a degree in welding while also working in the trade. Every day he shared his life’s dreams and plans.
While welding was his career passion, his biggest passion was fishing. There was no such thing as a bad day fishing with Leszek. The fishing trip of his dreams was on his senior class trip to Hawaii. The smile on his face when he got his skipper jack 20 miles into the Pacific Ocean was priceless. And on the night of his accident, he was going fishing with his buddies, but first needed to go to town for a hat light so he could fish in the dark.
Family and friends were important to Leszek. He loved to hang out, especially if it was on the river. It was common to stop in to visit his grandparents and godmother. And while Leszek loved to be at home with his siblings and parents, his niece Kasia brought him so much joy.
Faith and community played a big part in Leszek’s life. He was actively involved at St Augustine’s Catholic Church as an altar server and a member of the Youth Group, always honored to serve when asked. For many years, he worked the Hudson Township Bingo concession stand.
Leszek is survived by his parents, Frank and Anna, siblings Magdalena, Jasiu and Zosia, niece Kasia all of Boyne Falls, grandparents Frank and Joan Wasylewski of Boyne Falls, and grandmother “Babcia” Basia Sadowska of Koszalin, Poland. Leszek is also survived by many uncles, aunts and cousins that he loved dearly. Leszek was preceded in death by grandfather “Dziadzius” Bogus Sadowski.
And though he is gone from us, he will never be forgotten as he has become the fabric of our lives. His humor, quick wit and incredible charm will remain with us forever. So now son, brother and uncle, even though our hearts are broken, go and rest in peace and thank you for being a part of our lives. You brought us so much joy. Until we meet again…or as you would say “Hepatitis C you later”.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
47 comments on “Wasylewski, Leszek”
Peace and the blessing of fulfilling memories to the entire family of Leszek Wasylewski. Gone from us all much too soon.
I love you so much Leszek. I can’t even begin to understand this. I will miss you everyday and I can’t believe it and I don’t know if I ever will. Gone way too soon for someone that was going to do so much. I wish you were here.
Moe, None of us can wrap our heads around this senseless tragedy. There just aren’t enough words to describe you-you were such a unique, intelligent, talented and funny individual. From the time you were little, whether it was watching you score touchdown after touchdown in youth football, goal after goal on the soccer field or working until you could dunk the ball-you went all out and put everything you had into it. You were like a Warrior-you put everything you had into everything you did. You knew where and what you wanted to be in your life and were well on your way-your future was so bright. You lived every day to it’s fullest and did so much in your young life. I look at this and wonder when the numbness and pain will ease. You were such a huge part of our family-there was no other quite like you. You would help anyone and always kept us entertained with your wit and humor. You were truly adored by all your Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Niece, Grandparents, friends and even more so by your Mom and Dad, Brother and Sisters. We are missing a big piece Leszek-a void that can never be filled.
I am so sad that you are gone. you were a great guy even though we never had contact or a friendship you were very nice. But i cant believe you are gone 😥
We are so sorry for your loss Wasylewski family
So sorry to your entire family,relatives and friends for the huge loss in your family. We went thru this in 2011 and we know the hurt and all the heart break you are feeling right now . Our grandson Tyler Himebauch and Skylar were friends with your son. From our house to yours we send prayers and many thoughts of much comfort and strength to all! And Darick Himebauch’s our other grandson is dating Cheyenne who was your daughters friend. Words can not explain all of our feelings for all of you!
I am glad and blessed to have you as a long time family friend, I miss you, rest in peace Leszek and God bless the Wasylewski family
Our hearts go out to the family….he will be sadly missed by everyone…..Prayers for everyone….God took home a wonderful young man……
Ah Leszek you beautiful boy! You made us proud every day. You were truly an example for young people these days. Always a smile and the sweetest and funniest kid I knew. All who knew you were blessed and Uncle Joel and I were proud to call you nephew. This hurts beyond anything I ever felt before. You are loved and missed more than you will ever know. Love you buddy!
Heaven got a special guy. He will be missed. He was a great and funny guy and made me lol at practice and games. He was a great role for my son at baseball, always willing to help out. He will be missed. As I sit here and cry and think why him? He was so young. He will always be in our memory. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family R.I.P. buddy
Your presence was a gift to us all , an outstanding young man, will be missed by all .Heartfelt Condolences to your family , the Cleary,s
I watched Leszek serve Mass almost every Sunday, even for Fr Partridge’s funeral a week ago. He was so fond of him. Most kids quit serving after they graduated but not Leszek. Thank you Frank & Ania for giving Leszek strong Christian values. I also watched Leszek play basketball as I video taped the games for coaches Tim & Dale. He had such a drive & determination that could not be equaled. Man that kid could dribble & run fast! I loved his Face Book fishing photos. This was a beautiful child of GOD who truly loved nature & all it offered. Leszek, you left us way too early but you have given each and every one of us special memories. May the angels have their arms wrapped warmly around you in heaven.
So very sorry for your loss…
It was an honor and a pleasure to know Leszek. Frank and Anna, my heart goes out to you and your family. God Bless all of you.
Such a tragedy.
Great young man, great loss for Frank & Ania. We are so sorry for your loss… no words…our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Frank, Ania and family
We are so saddened by your tragic loss. Words cannot express our deepest heartfelt sympathies. Please know we are thinking and praying for you and your family.
Leszek,
My heart aches to talk to you and hug you. All I want to do is to run to wherever you are and hold you. The way we grew up, you’ve always been more of a little brother than a cousin. Our lives and hearts have been shattered, our community shaking and grieving, and this all speaks to the type of person you are. I’ll never understand this. I’ll never stop missing your jokes and your laugh. I love you more than you’ll ever know.
Frank,
Please know that I am thinking of you and your family….
Sincere and prayerful condolences to you Frank, Ania and the entire Wasyleswsi family. Swiat Pamieta!
You are in our hearts and prayers Anna and Frank. This is one of the toughest ordeals to go through.
So very sorry for your loss.
We are still in shock,my boys cared for u a lot 🙁
Anna,Frank, so very sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers to the family.
Leszek,
I am hurting so bad right now that I can’t even eat. Besides that, I was trying to print your obituary and couldn’t get it to print. So what did I do? I started reaching for my phone to call you to come help me. I realize now that you’re gone, how much I relied on you. Thanks for always brightening my day. You almost always came by every day. You didn’t have to but you stopped by anyway to shoot the breeze even for just a few minutes.I will miss those special talks. How do I put into words how I feel since you left? lonely, helpless, brokenhearted,lost, angry, scared to live life without you.You always got the biggest laugh when I made jokes about my brain damage.Thanks for blessing my life by being a part of it. I will look forward to playing Keno with you in heaven like we played and won at the bar in Vanderbilt. Oops, I guess I spilled the beans. Take care sweet angel. Hepatitis C ya later
LESZEK you will never know the impact you had on others but know you will never be forgotten. Thank you for your laughter, whit and humor.keep fishing and watching over us all… Rest in Peace and help your family thru this from above.. God bless Leszek
Frank,
I am so sorry for your loss, praying for your family and asking God to give you strength.
Oh you sweet, sweet boy, how my heart aches for your entire family but mostly your wonderful parents and siblings. I cannot begin to imagine what they are going through as they have to say their final goodbyes. Such a senseless accident that took an amazing young man way too early. I had the honor of knowing you from the age of 4 in preschool through sports, through helping your class at Polish Fest, through racing, through your last day… you made the world a brighter place for everyone. Your mischievous smile was contagious. You will be missed. How lucky are we to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard? You’re gonna have to help Keith and I look out for Jacob. 💜
God’s Blessings to all of you. Be strong and know he is with Jesus. There are no other words. 🙁
Frank and Anna, I am so, so, sorry to hear of your loss. My heart aches for all of you. My thoughts are with you and my prayers are for strength and peace in these difficult days.
Our deepest sympathies are with your family. What an accomplished young man he was. Thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Frank and Anna . so sorry for your loss. taken way too soon. Leszek was a great guy. He will be missed. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Anna, Frank and family, may God wrap you in His love as He welcomes Leszek into His heavenly home. We never know the length of our earthly journey, but our goal of heaven with God, for eternity, is the same. We are His, and we are only on this earth for a short time. Sending love and sympathy at this most difficult time. May you take great consolation knowing he loved Our Lord in serving Mass, and Our Lord loves Him in return.
Anna ,Frank ,and family we are deeply sorry for the loss of your son. No one should have to go through that. You are in our thoughts. He will be your guardian angel now. love Tracy & Brian Plona💜
So very sorry for your loss…your family has been and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincere condolences to your family. We were blessed to have Leszek as a big part of our lives in the past few years and we grew to love him. We will continue to pray for your healing. We cherish the memories of him and his contagious sense of humor. We have many pictures that will continue to be a blessing to remember him by.
Frank, Anna & The Wasylewski Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this sad time.
Wasylewski Family= Our condolences to all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your faith will get you through this.
There will never be words to express the loss you feel. I do understand your grief. My heart hurts too. I do however feel blessed to have had the honor of Leszek being my student. He always held a special place in my heart. He knew all he had to do was smile at me with that cute little grin and those dimples and there was a good chance I would give in and not ask them to do whatever I was expecting them to do….sometimes. Leszek was one of a kind… in my heart as in many others, he will never be forgotten. ❤
Joanie Family, our hearts go out to you and your family for loss of your grandson Leszek. Please know that you all are in our prayers and thoughts.
keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers, Karen Zaremba DeNike
Anna , Frank and Family My heart aches for your loss of your Beautiful Son Lezek … May Your family heal from this and hold his beautiful Soul with you everyday!
I never knew him other than seeing him At big boy when he was younger with his beautiful Family !
I am here always for you!
Pam and Dave Gross & Girls
Forever I will never forget this unbelievable shocking tragic accident. I was talking to him an hour and a half before the accident happened and was over at his house at around 2:30 in the afternoon , keep praying for the Wasylewski’s especially Frank, Anna, Jasiu, and Zosia, and his grandparents Frank and Joan, Wasylewski, Me and a few very close friends all feel like we all lost a brother and I can’t imagine what the family is going through let alone everybody else that knew Leszek. He will always be remembered for salmon fishing, sports, and doing burnouts as me and Leszek used to call it,” TEARING IT UP, God bless the Wasylewski family and rest in peace Leszek. Help your family get through this and look out for them up in the sky.
Frank and Anna my prayers are with you and your family. I can’t even begin to think what you are going through right now but he is with our heavenly Father and watching over all of you right now. Prayers to all Bev Schuster aka (Dunham)
Oh, Frank and Ania, my heart is with you!
Leszek was a super sweet person with a warm personality. Healing prayers for the entire family.
I don’t know you or your son, but it sounds like he was an extraordinary young man, with his whole life in front of him. I’m so sorry for your loss. Just know that he is with GOD now, no pain, no heartbreaks, no illnesses, just peace. Remember him always, I feel that he knew, that he was much loved, by family, friends, classmates, church family, all that he touched was better for it. Many prayers and thoughts to you in your extreme time of sorrow. GOD be with you and yours.
Frank, Anna & family – Ed and I are so deeply saddened by your sudden loss of Leszak. We cannot begin to imagine what you are going through. You were obviously blessed with an awesome, kind and beautiful young man who made an impact on so many lives. He will never be forgotten. And what a beautifully written obituary for such a young amazing, accomplished and honorable young man. May your family heal from this in time and know that our family will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. May Leszak continue to live in peace with God and May God bless you and your family 🙏🏻❤️