GERALD J. UJDAK

Gerald J. Ujdak Sept. 3, 1936 - Oct. 1, 2014 SOUTH BEND - On October 1, 2014, Gerald J. Ujdak (Jerry), who was loved by his entire family, was called home and is at peace after suffering from an extended illness. His family will miss him dearly. They know he has found a place of rest and comfort while his essence, fighting spirit, and ever-present devotion to family will always remain in their hearts. Born to the union of Joseph and Sophia (Kaniewski) Ujdak in South Bend, Indiana, Jerry entered this world on September 3, 1936. Jerry was an only child but enjoyed the company of his large family of many maternal aunts and uncles.

On August 1, 1964, at St. Hedwig Parish in South Bend during the hottest day of the year, Jerry was wed to the former Bonita (Bonnie) Wisniewski, who survives him. To this blessed union were born three children, their son, Andrew Ujdak of South Bend, Indiana, and two daughters, Jennifer Lillis (Edward) of Cary, North Carolina, and Joanne Berry (Ronnie) of Delaware, Ohio. Also remaining are two nieces, Karen Wisniewski and Mary (Sean) Serrahn, and sister-in-law, Pat (Frank) Bezi.

Jerry attended Washington High School and graduated with honors in 1954. He served as drum major of the Washington High School Marching Band and was the first of his family to attend college. A great interest in science spurred Jerry to study Biology at Indiana University, where he graduated in 1958 with Bachelor of Science degree in Education. In 1960, he furthered his studies with the completion of his Master's Degree in Education from Indiana State University. Beginning his teaching career in 1958 at the former Warren Township Elementary School,

Jerry joined the South Bend Community School Corporation in 1960 as a teacher at his former elementary alma mater, Oliver School. He also coached the boys track team at Oliver, leading them to two back-to-back city championships. Licensed to teach in the fields of Biology, Industrial Arts, Business, Chemistry and Physics, Jerry completed a 38-year teaching career with positions at Central High School, Central Middle School, and Dickinson Middle School. He concluded his teaching career with a 15-year assignment at LaSalle High School, retiring in 1996.

Jerry's commitment to public safety in the City of South Bend led him to teach Driver's Education in the public school system for 20 years. He also taught Adult-ESL classes at the former Central Career Center for several years. Unknown to most, Jerry originally considered a career as a music teacher and played 5 different musical instruments, including the piano. He fostered a love of classical, folk, and contemporary music, and was an avid and active supporter of his children's early efforts in their youth to learn to read and play music.

Fiercely proud of his Polish heritage, Jerry maintained a great interest in Polish history and exploration of his ancestry. He was forever proud of his father's fortitude and his real-life tale of immigration from pre-World War I Russian-Occupied Poland to America in 1913 as well as his service as an infantryman in France for the American Army from 1917-1919. His father's employment at Studebaker gave birth to a lifelong interest in cars, especially the Studebakers built here in South Bend. Jerry often affectionately recalled his very first Studebaker, a 1952 Commander Land Cruiser, but proudly owned several other Studebaker cars throughout the years. His favorite was a 1955 President Speedster.

Jerry grew up in the Parish of St. Mary's in the Polish National Catholic Church in South Bend where he served as an altar boy in his youth and later as a member of the Church Board. In his teenage years, he helped his father raise fruits and vegetables for sale from their home in Crumstown and also helped his uncle farm his acreage in Warren Township. An early exposure to tractors and farm machinery created a life-long interest in all things mechanical that served him and his family so well all the years of his life. One of his greatest fascinations was with the locomotives and trains of his boyhood years. A devotee of doing-it-himself, Jerry taught himself to repair cars and tractors, perform electrical work, remodel and renovate homes, install and repair plumbing, and nearly all else that he found to be an intellectual challenge. He had an uncanny ability and an engineer's mind for dissecting diagrams and manuals to repair nearly everything mechanical that he owned. Many weekends were filled with home construction projects where he could be found with either tool in hand or laboring under the hood of a car.

Forever a teacher, Jerry tried always to instill into others a love of learning and a sense of self-sufficiency. He approached life much as a scientist would while possessing a curious mind used to teach students, children and grandchildren alike. From the internal combustion engine to earth science to geology to driving lessons, his keen intellect was a gift that blessed many. Jerry also possessed a love for politics and service to his community. He actively participated in various local political campaigns over the years in mayoral, city, county, and state elections. He was a member of the very first National Education Association (NEA) negotiating team that successfully fought for and won the very first contract for South Bend Community School Corporation teachers.

Jerry also served as Treasurer of the Hotel/Motel Tax Board during the construction of Century Center, and

was a voice in early efforts to revitalize downtown South Bend. His penchant and appreciation of local history led to his proud service as a member of the St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission. Jerry was a Mason and 50-Year member of St. Joseph Lodge No. 45 of South Bend. Jerry never shied away from a good, constructive debate and enjoyed discussion and argument of anything ranging from the economy to national politics.

In their 50 years of marriage, Jerry and Bonnie built a loving home for their three children and filled it with a sense of love for family that lives on. Upon retirement Jerry began his second career as "full-time" Grandpa. He was constantly on the move supporting his grandchildren by driving them to and from school, sporting events, appointments and extra-curricular activities. Bonnie's devotion to and selfless love for Jerry enabled him to overcome each obstacle in his path. This love allowed him to carry on as best as he could through numerous serious health challenges over the years. Together Bonnie and Jerry showed us what the power of love can truly accomplish. Jerry's fighting spirit, sense of humor, and love of family will live on and thrive in his children and grandchildren. His stories of days past will be missed, but many fond memories remain to bring smiles and laughter to family and friends.

Remaining to cherish his beloved memory are also his eight grandchildren, Samuel Ujdak, Maxwell Ujdak, Anna Ujdak, Bernard Ujdak, Luke Lillis, Alexandra Lillis, Quinn Berry and Stella Kate Berry. We have been forever touched by his presence in our lives, and each of us has been gifted a piece of his amazing and giving heart.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2014, at Kaniewski Funeral Home, located at 3545 Bendix Drive, South Bend, with a Masonic Service scheduled for 6 p.m. A Mass to celebrate Jerry's life will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Polish National Catholic Church, located at 1601 W. Sample St., South Bend. Interment will immediately follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Indiana 46637; or the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, P.O. Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

The family wishes to thank all who helped to keep Jerry comfortable and care for him during his illness, including Dr. Steven Crowell, M.D., Dr. Don Selzer, M.D., Dr. John Katsaropoulos, M.D., Dr. Bilal Ansari, M.D., and Dr. Houman Vaghefi, M.D. The family extends special thanks to Vicki Hill, Mary Chris and George Adams, the staff of Southfield Village, and the staff of the Center for Hospice.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5, 2014.

09/10/2022 EJS