Walter Thomas Plazewski Sr.

PLAZEWSKI, Walter Thomas, Sr., 97, of San Antonio, Florida passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2014. He was born on Independence Day, 1917 in Quincy, Illinios to Polish immigrant parents, the sixth of eight children and grew up in Chicago. He served as a sergeant in the US Army during WWII. In 1949 he graduated from Quincy College, and did his post-graduate studies at Loyola University Chicago. In 1951 he came to Florida as St. Leo College Preparatory School's first permanent lay-teacher. There he taught English and Spanish for 13 years. Over a 20 year period beginning in 1964, he and his wife owned 3 Dade City establishments: the Frozen Pitcher, the Ranch House Lounge and Hank's Lounge. In 1980 they opened Dade City Auto & Equipment Parts before finally retiring in 2003. Walter was a loving husband, father and grandfather, as well as a successful businessman and an inspiring teacher. He was preceded in death by his son, Thaddius. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary; five children, Edward Plazewski (Lynn) of San Antonio, Lillian Dehghan of Seffner, Walter Plazewski, Jr. (Ruth) of San Antonio, Rev. Leonard Plazewski of Tampa, and William Plazewski (Cassandra) of San Antonio; 11 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Thaddius Plazewski, of Dade City. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 13, 2:00 - 4:00 PM, St. Anthony Catholic Church, San Antonio. Vigil service begins at 3:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be on Monday, July 14, 2:00 PM, St. Leo Abbey Church, St. Leo. Interment immediately following at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, San Antonio. Flowers accepted, or donations may be made in his honor, to the St. Anthony School Building Fund in San Antonio, FL or to the Walter T. Plazewski Endowed Scholarship at Saint Leo University.