Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, July 10 at Holy Rosary Church in Isadore for Edward Stanley Walters of Cedar who passed away on July 7, 2012 at Tendercare of Leelanau with his wife at his bedside. He was 89.

Ed was born on Feb. 1, 1923 in Detroit, the son of Stanislaw and Victoria (Kulik) Wojciechowski. In August of 1951, he married Patricia Ann Urban, who survives.

Ed was the epitome of the greatest generation. He was the seventh child of Polish immigrant parents who settled on the west side of Detroit. He bravely served his country in WWII and was awarded three bronze stars and a purple heart. Ed was the first of his family to go to college, using his GI benefits to attend the University of Detroit. Upon graduation he began a long career in civil service working for the City of Detroit and the Federal Poverty Program.

He met his beloved wife Pat just as he began his career and started what he called his greatest accomplishment - his loving family. He was a great dad, tempering high expectations with unconditional love, and serving as an example of self-sacrifice, selfdiscipline and loyalty. He threw his kids off the dock at Stag Island, supplied them with mini bikes and gokarts, and occasionally rescued them from the authorities. Ed always had a boat and he captained many water skiing runs, and taught all to dock at ‘full speed’. The family was usually augmented by one of many nieces, nephews, or neighborhood kids- the more the merrier.

Ed was a stellar athlete - the ‘silver fox’ played to win - handball, tennis, golf, horseshoes, football, and baseball. He played tennis well into his 80’s. After retiring in Cedar, he and Pat were able to enjoy sports together and bring their winning spirit to bridge games, golf, euchre and the slots. Ed’s personality was bigger than life; he never met a stranger, attracting friends wherever they went, and filled many a room with joy and laughter.

So many were first generation American and so many served their country. What makes Ed’s story unique is he is ours and we are his. He is not really gone, his values live on in his family. We will miss his personality, but every day will give us an opportunity to honor the man we love.

In addition to his beloved wife of 61 years, Ed is survived by his five children, Barbara (Lawrence Wiley) Walters, Joseph (Karen) Walters, David (Lori) Walters, Nancy Borgeson, Andrew (Elizabeth) Walters; grandchildren, Rebecca, Richard, Louis, Claire, Daniel, and James.

He was preceded in death by a son, John; siblings, Josephine, Frank, Stanley, Marion, Ann, Genieve, Jane, Bruno, and Joseph.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Michigan Chapter/Northern Michigan Region, 921 West 11th Street, Suite 1W, Traverse City, MI 49684.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.