GLOUCESTER: Broneslaus S. “Brownie” Zywusko, 90, formerly of Winchester Court, died Monday afternoon, February 11, 2008, in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. He was the husband of the late Catherine G. “Katie” (Hutchins) Zywusko who died in March of 2002. They had shared forty-three years of marriage.
Born in Salem on December 2, 1917, he was the son of the late Joseph and Antonina (Mieskowitz) Zywusko. He was a graduate of the Salem High School class of 1934.
Following the stock market crash, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s project, which put over 500,000 young men to work in our national parks building dams, roads and fire towers.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in the infantry as a sharpshooter and cook with the 104th Army Infantry Division, known as The Timberwolves, and later with the 413th Infantry. Having fought in the Battle of the Bulge, in numerous battles across Europe, and assisting in the liberation of concentration camps, he was a recipient of the Bronze Star, and many other medals.
A skilled carpenter, he worked for many years on Cape Ann for the Alper Family and then John Padre Construction. He was recently featured in the Gloucester Daily Times for his passion for building model boats. He had built over 400 boats and was always pleased to share his work. Brownie had also held a private pilot’s license in the 1950’s.
He was a longtime member of the Doucette-Linguard V.F.W. Post #1624 of Gloucester and the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, American Legion. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James F. and Penny Zywusko of Nashua, NH, a daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Donald Robbins of Casselberry, FL, three grandchildren, Matthew, husband of Dori Zywusko, Joseph, husband of Patti Passanisi, and Jon, husband of Claire Kazanjian, and four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Riley Zywusko, Joseph Passanisi and Thomas Kazanjian, his brother and two sisters-in-law, Edmund and Pauline Zywusko of Beverly and Charlotte Zywusko of Maryland. He is also survived by three stepdaughters, Edith, wife of Elliott Goodhue, Helen, wife of Albert Surrette and Barbara Reed, as well as many other grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Thomas Zywusko, his sister, Stacia Powell, his brother Boley Zywusko, and two stepdaughters, Catherine McKay and Delia Parks.
In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral services. For those who wish, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923