Monday, March 15, 2021
As a friend of the Szelc family, I learned at an early age that Walter was a man you could count on. Walter would often work an 80 hour week, but always found the time to mentor the members of our Rocket club. It was never smart to launch a rocket near the ‘Pike without Walter counting it down! Walter could be counted on to serve his country, first as a Merchant Marine, and ultimately as a member of the United States Marine Corp. Count him as a standout in America’s Greatest Generation. Walter could be counted on to run a business and more than pull his own weight. He worked long hours to make the business a success and brought his brothers in with him. Jake and Frank counted! Walter could be counted on to serve his community. He was active in the VFW and Boy Scouts. When they needed a volunteer, you could count on Walter to raise his hand. Irene could count on Walter to lovingly care for his family. There was a bit of Polish magic between Walter and Irene. They willed Ron Swoboda’s glove into a hot hand that took the Mets from last place to a World Series championship! Unknowingly, Swoboda counted on Irene and Walter! Walter could be counted on as a father. He stood behind his son, and took pride in Gary’s achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and ultimately becoming a Civil Engineer. Gary always knew he could count on his Dad. And Walter could count on his son to "do right", as his father once counted on him. We could count on Walter’s uncanny memory and recall. When Chris and George cleaned the Szelc backyard pool, and flooded half of Hopelawn, Walter took it in stride. It became one of his “twice told tales.” In fact, you could count on hearing that tale more than twice! Walter Szelc stood tall from the day he could walk. He could be counted on to put others first and always do what is right. Over a life well lived, and through practice and prayer, God counted on Walter. And God is counting on us to learn from the example he set for all who knew him. God is counting on us to hold Walter forever in our hearts. To Irene and Gary, our sincerest condolences. George Schimpf and family
