Jimmy Zabek, his real name was Adolph, was Sandy's father. He died when Sandy was six months pregnant with Kezia. I basically typed this up for Kezia for the family tree. The following was a little article in the North Adams Transcript. Cioci Florence sent this news clipping to Sandy and I today.
Jimmy Zabek, who died Sunday while playing golf at the Forest Park Country Club, a friend for many years, was a member of the crack St. Stanislaus basketball team that won the Polish National Alliance tournament, held at Adams in 1949, defeating St. Peter and Paul of Chicago, 54 - 49 in the final at the C.T. Plunkett Junior High gym. Others on the team were Jimmy's brother Chester, Stan Senecki, Mike McAndrews, Eddie Anton, Bushy Nowak, Johnny Zaloga, Chester Menczywor, and Johnny Jasinski.
Chester was my high school football coach in 1960. Stan Senecki dated my mother’s sister Stephie, who never married, for several years. Rumor was he was a heavy gambler. I have a photograph of him looking very dapper.
Mike McAndrews opened an insurance company in Adams that still exists. Chester Menczywor married Sandy's Cioci Cecelia, who just passed away last month.
This was all after World War Two. All nine men were United States Navy sailors.
Do things still go on like this in small towns in the United States? I hope so.
Frances & Jimmy Zabek on their wedding day, with St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in the background.
A billboard in Adams, MA. St. Stan's was recently closed. Parishioners are maintaining a 24-hour vigil/occupation of the church.
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