Michael Bezuhly

Michael Bezuhly

January 27, 1917 - August 07, 2012

Michael Bezuhly

January 27, 1917 - August 07, 2012

Obituary

Michael Bezuhly, the patriarch of the Bezuhly clan; the beloved Father of Terri, Bob, Michele, Suzanne and Annette, departed this earth for a far better place on August 7, 2012.

At 95 years of age he led a full and productive life. He was a simple God-fearing gentle man who lived each day to the fullest. He was an inspiration and role model to our whole family as to how a meaningful life should be lived. He was tolerant of all beliefs, understanding of the differences we all experience as we travel through life, a dedicated Los Angeles Angel fan and simply a wonderful human being.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on January 27, 1917 and raised in Old Forge, PA, Dad finished high school in the teeth of the great depression of the 1930’s. Jobs, being scarce as hen’s teeth channeled Dad into the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was very proud of the accomplishments of the CCC and often wondered why a similar plan initiated today would not combat a great deal of our present unemployment crisis while giving participants a sense of pride and accomplishment for their efforts.

Dad met Mom, Jean New, in New York City in 1939; after a whirlwind courtship they were married on July 13, 1940 at the Holy Virgin of Protection church in New York City. A marriage that thrived for 59 years until Mom’s death in 1999. Dad had gainful employment with the Railway Express Agency in New York, but, the winds of war had broken out in Europe and the pacific theatre was all too soon to follow. Dad enlisted in the United States Navy on January 12, 1944, leaving 2 year old Terri and wife Jean in New York.

The war years found Dad on a PT boat participating in the liberation of the Philippine Islands. As many of you know, a PT boat is a rather small very fast craft used to patrol waters close to enemy held positions. And, as our 35th president, John F. Kennedy, found out, a very dangerous branch of the Navy to be in. Although Dad was not one to talk of his exploits while in the service; we would occasionally get him going with questions like, “what’s torpedo juice?” and “what did you do with your uniform rations?” With war’s end Dad returned to San Francisco, his first visit to the then Golden State, and a harbinger of things to come. He mustered out of the Navy with an honorable discharge on December 19, 1945. He returned to his pre-war job with the Railway Express Agency; but not for long before California called.

The California years were wonderful for Mom and Dad. Long and hard work hours netted them their own industrial laundry business. With success in business came enlargements to the family: Bob in 1947, Michele in 1952, Suzanne in 1954 and Annette in 1960 not only rounded the family at 5 children, but made more hands to wash and press, fold shop towels, mend uniforms and sew on buttons. Downey, CA was a post-war thriving community where the Bezuhly clan made their home.

With the children launched, Mom and Dad settled into comfortable non-eventful retirement ,,,..not. Their activities through the Church and many civic groups kept them going at a pace that never seemed to let up. There was bridge, Las Vegas turnarounds, couples dinner groups, grand children, Las Vegas turnarounds, poker, church choir, Las Vegas turnarounds and a myriad of activities. In the 1980’s Mom’s involvement with rheumatoid arthritis slowed them down a bit. Dad became a wonderful caregiver for Mom, and a darn good cook to boot.

With Mom’s death in 1999, we all worried what Dad would do. He had been so involved with Mom’s care on a day-to-day basis; we were leery of what he would do with the loss of the love of his life for 59 years plus his now unspoken for time. Not to worry; until his last day on earth he bowled, played shuffleboard, walked 2-3 miles each day, played bridge and poker weekly, enjoyed his 5 children, 16 grand children and 12 great grandchildren, had dozens of friends in the Casta Del Sol community where he lived for the past 12 years and made frequent trips to Las Vegas to visit his money.

Our hearts are broken with his loss. He was an irreplaceable soul whom only a few are privileged to spend time with during a lifetime. But we all know that he and Jean are finally reunited. God speed Dad.

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