ALEXANDER M.ZALESKI
In the end, Parkinson's disease robbed Alexander M. Zaleski, 89, a proud son
of Polish immigrants, of many things, but never his smile.
But the smile spoke volumes, as well as the two languages he used with
eloquence. The man who never wore a watch saying it was the days and the seasons,
not the hours, that were important, died Monday night at the home of his daughter Rita Klever.
A lover of cultures and the cosmos, Al, as he was known to all, spent a
lifetime reaching out to others, helping where he could, listening
intently to better understand the human condition.
He was at once a man of letters, of books, of hand tools and saddles.
Years spent working outdoors pressed permanent creases at the corners of blue
eyes that twinkled when he laughed. There were nine hungry Zaleski siblings during the
Great Depression. So Al, the second oldest, lightened his parents' load by setting out on a man's
journey and, years later, regaled friends and family with stories of his
often perilous time "riding the rails." During World War II, he spent 27 months
overseas with the 299th QuarterMaster Salvage Repair Company, returning to kiss his
firstborn, Linda, for the first time when she was 18 months old.
His ancestors had lived in the countryside and Pike Township became Al's
home when he returned from war. There, he built by hand the family's
home, laying up field stone he'd dug for the fireplace.
Early on, horses and the American West became his passion. There were 23
years of 4-H leadership. He was among the founders of the Ohio Quarter
Horse Association and fathered the Tri-County Trail Association. Rarely seen
without his Stetson and his boots, he oft repeated a favorite idiom, "The
outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man."
A hankering to build an authentic Western saloon though he neither smoked
nor drank came to fruition, a partnership with his nephew "Tosh" Norman,
on Sherman Church Avenue SW where the Red Dog
Saloon drew real cowboys and wannabes. Together, Al and his nephew also
bought a 500-foot radio tower at the highest point in Stark County.
A philosopher whose quiet voice and willing spirit endeared him to many,
once mused, "I'm a collector of relationships. I value them above money
because they survive." One's legacy, he said "is what you leave behind in a man's heart and
mind. That's my wealth. " As a labor of love, he built three of the homes his children now live in.
Though his marriage to Elsie Keller Zaleski, mother of his four children,
did not last a lifetime, the deep friendship did. He could not have
known that her death June 16, 2006, would but briefly separate them. He also was
preceded in death by infant grandsons Jude and Jonah Klever.
He leaves to celebrate his life his children, Linda "Dolly" Zaleski
(Mark Engle), Jim "Dusty" Zaleski (Judi), Mary Kay "Sweetie" Zaleski,
Rita "Scofield" Klever; nephew, faithful friend and business partner Tosh
"Rondo" Norman; grandchildren who knew him as "Jampa," Alison Roberts (Robert);
Bret Hoffa (Teresa), Gabe Hoffa (Robyn), Alexis Wyatt, Kay Klever, Tommy Zaleski, Jonathan
Zaleski, Kristine Thompson (Sean), Tammy Lane (Tim), Mark Engle (Kim), Theresa
Engle and Matthew Engle (Shellie); great-grandchildren, Trevor and Caleb Hoffa,
Brittany Williamson, Sydney Hoffa, Mackenzie and Elle Roberts, Jude Klever,
Eowynne Engle, Kelsey and Marissa Lane, Zach Bellas, Adam Thompson, Cole and
Garrett Engle, and Lauren and Drew Engle, and brothers Stephen, Casimer
Ky", Frank, Ed, Leonard and Dick Zaleski.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of
Stark County, 3611 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton, 44718, or the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation, 5000 Rockside Rd. #310 Independence, O. 44131
Calling hours are Thursday 5-7:30 p.m., Kreighbaum-Sanders Funeral Home,
4041 Cleveland Ave. S., with funeral services there 10 a.m.Friday.
Condolences or fond memories may be sent online at: www.sandersfuneralhomes.com.
Kreighbaum-Sanders
330-484-2525
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alexander M. Zaleski, please visit our flower store.
In the end, Parkinson's disease robbed Alexander M. Zaleski, 89, a proud son
of Polish immigrants, of many things, but never his smile.
But the smile spoke volumes, as well as the two languages he used with
eloquence. The man who never wore a watch saying it was the days and the seasons,
not the hours, that were important, died Monday night at the home of his daughter Rita Klever.
A lover of cultures and the cosmos, Al, as he was known to all, spent a
lifetime reaching out to others, helping where he could, listening
intently to better understand the human condition.
He was at once a man of letters, of books, of hand tools and saddles.
Years spent working outdoors pressed permanent creases at the corners of blue
eyes that twinkled when he laughed. There were nine hungry Zaleski siblings during the
Great Depression. So Al, the second oldest, lightened his parents' load by setting out on a man's
journey and, years later, regaled friends and family with stories of his
often perilous time "riding the rails." During World War II, he spent 27 months
overseas with the 299th QuarterMaster Salvage Repair Company, returning to kiss his
firstborn, Linda, for the first time when she was 18 months old.
His ancestors had lived in the countryside and Pike Township became Al's
home when he returned from war. There, he built by hand the family's
home, laying up field stone he'd dug for the fireplace.
Early on, horses and the American West became his passion. There were 23
years of 4-H leadership. He was among the founders of the Ohio Quarter
Horse Association and fathered the Tri-County Trail Association. Rarely seen
without his Stetson and his boots, he oft repeated a favorite idiom, "The
outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man."
A hankering to build an authentic Western saloon though he neither smoked
nor drank came to fruition, a partnership with his nephew "Tosh" Norman,
on Sherman Church Avenue SW where the Red Dog
Saloon drew real cowboys and wannabes. Together, Al and his nephew also
bought a 500-foot radio tower at the highest point in Stark County.
A philosopher whose quiet voice and willing spirit endeared him to many,
once mused, "I'm a collector of relationships. I value them above money
because they survive." One's legacy, he said "is what you leave behind in a man's heart and
mind. That's my wealth. " As a labor of love, he built three of the homes his children now live in.
Though his marriage to Elsie Keller Zaleski, mother of his four children,
did not last a lifetime, the deep friendship did. He could not have
known that her death June 16, 2006, would but briefly separate them. He also was
preceded in death by infant grandsons Jude and Jonah Klever.
He leaves to celebrate his life his children, Linda "Dolly" Zaleski
(Mark Engle), Jim "Dusty" Zaleski (Judi), Mary Kay "Sweetie" Zaleski,
Rita "Scofield" Klever; nephew, faithful friend and business partner Tosh
"Rondo" Norman; grandchildren who knew him as "Jampa," Alison Roberts (Robert);
Bret Hoffa (Teresa), Gabe Hoffa (Robyn), Alexis Wyatt, Kay Klever, Tommy Zaleski, Jonathan
Zaleski, Kristine Thompson (Sean), Tammy Lane (Tim), Mark Engle (Kim), Theresa
Engle and Matthew Engle (Shellie); great-grandchildren, Trevor and Caleb Hoffa,
Brittany Williamson, Sydney Hoffa, Mackenzie and Elle Roberts, Jude Klever,
Eowynne Engle, Kelsey and Marissa Lane, Zach Bellas, Adam Thompson, Cole and
Garrett Engle, and Lauren and Drew Engle, and brothers Stephen, Casimer
Ky", Frank, Ed, Leonard and Dick Zaleski.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of
Stark County, 3611 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton, 44718, or the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation, 5000 Rockside Rd. #310 Independence, O. 44131
Calling hours are Thursday 5-7:30 p.m., Kreighbaum-Sanders Funeral Home,
4041 Cleveland Ave. S., with funeral services there 10 a.m.Friday.
Condolences or fond memories may be sent online at: www.sandersfuneralhomes.com.
Kreighbaum-Sanders
330-484-2525