Eugene C. Lewandowski

Eugene C. Lewandowski Eugene Christopher Lewandowski passed away surrounded by family and friends at his home in Cedarburg on October 22, 2012 Born in Lodz, Poland on December 30,1920, he came to the United States after serving in the U.S. Third Army Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) in Eastern Europe. His knowledge of five languages made him a valuable asset in areas of eastern Poland immediately after the war. During the war, he was a member of the “AK” one of five elements of the Polish resistance to the Nazi Occupation, engaging in sabotage action and combat against Nazi forces. He was imprisoned by both the Nazis and the Russians during the war. He came to Chicago in 1949, meeting and marrying his wife Marie Batelt in 1952, also from Lodz, while studying at Northwestern University’s business college and working for Marshall Fields. He eventually became the chief buyer of textiles for Marshall Fields, displaying the knowledge and good taste he inherited from his family’s long involvement in textiles in Poland. His success there led to his recruitment by Reigel Textiles in North Carolina where he became CEO in 1972. Jack Winter eventually lured him back to the Midwest where he became the CEO of Winter’s 78 store Mary Lester Fabrics chain in Milwaukee in 1975. Lewandowski retired in 1982. He spent his retirement cultivating magnificent flower gardens on his property and entertaining friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Milwaukee area artist, Marie Lewandowski, his son Dr. Christopher Lewandowski and daughter in law, Dr. Jeanne G, Lewandowski of Detroit Michigan, and daughter Anne Lewandowski and son in law, Peter Kranstover (US Embassy – Islamabad, Pakistan) and his loving grandchildren Michael, Andrew, Stephanie, Katherine, Michael and Daniel. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 27, 2012, at St. Francis Borgia North Catholic Church (1375 Covered Bridge Road, Cedarburg) at 1:00 p.m. Family will receive relatives and friends at church from 10:30 AM until time of Mass.