NATICK: Bertold C. “Bert” “Bootsie” Antalek, age 80, died on Monday morning, March 28, 2016, at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham after a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Deanna M. (Waterman) Antalek.
A lifelong Natick resident, he was the son of the late Bertold C. and Lillian C. (Normandin) Antalek. He was a triple letter varsity athlete in high school, and for over 50 years held Natick High’s Thanksgiving Day football record for most yards rushing. Bootsie was inducted to the Natick High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, on the 50th anniversary of 1950-’51 hockey team’s Eastern Massachusetts League and Massachusetts High School Championships.
Bert enlisted in the Army shortly after graduation and served as a specialist with the 10th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion during the Korean War. He and Deanna were married in 1957 and made their home in Natick. Bootsie was employed for over forty years with Anton’s Cleaners, managing a number of their locations. He enjoyed camping with his growing family on Cape Cod and loved to fish, whether deep sea fishing or casting from the shore. Bootsie was a great cook and loved sharing with family and friends. Among the pleasures he and Deanna shared were entertaining their grandchildren and caring for their gardens.
Predeceased by Deanna last March, and shortly thereafter their daughter Nancy Lienhard and her husband Paul, he is survived by a daughter, Phyllis Antalek of Natick; a son, Richard Antalek and his wife Taryn of Douglas; four grandchildren, Jackie, Jimmy, Courtney, and Meghan; great-grandson Patrick; his sister, Carol Duchnowski and her husband Walter of Bourne; and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral service will be held in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Friday, April 1st at 11:00AM. Burial will be private.
Visiting hours will be Thursday 4 – 8PM. Donations may be made in Bert’s memory to the Natick Needy Veterans Fund, c/o Paul Carew, Community Service Dept, 117 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760.