The Last Goodbye FAMILY, FAITH, FORTITUDE Anthony Edward “Ed” Kruszewski was a first generation Polish-American born in 1924 in New York City. He excelled in school during his youth and throughout his university years, and developed a great love of aviation. He attended several technical schools for aircraft, including the Curtis Aeronautical Institute for Aviation Engineering. He began his military service with the Army Air Corps in February 1942 during WWII and left on March 2, 1946. Afterward he spent a few years in Hawaii to help re-establish the aircraft maintenance and inspection department at Hickman Field and Wheeler US Air Force bases. He also took courses at the University of Hawaii for Federal Aviation Agency Licensed Aircraft and Power Plant Engineering. Ed continued building a career in aviation by holding various positions in the field, and in 1963 he started his own business in Miami, Florida--U.S. Airmotive Inc.--which he led with great success for 40 years. The highly regarded company has satellite corporations in Singapore, Washington DC, New York and California and representatives in many countries. It is a leading supply source for foreign and domestic airlines with services that include manufacturing and overseeing franchise dealers, aircraft brokers and distributors, as well as repairs. Ed was also involved as a consultant and member of diverse organizations. He was part of the American government’s trade missions to Russia, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, and he worked with President Eisenhower’s non-profit People to People initiative. It was created to foster cultural exchange programs among all countries by offering international student ambassador travel, domestic leadership ambassador summits and forums, international collegiate ambassador travel, and international citizen ambassador travel for industry professionals. Ed was also active in several South Florida universities’ educational programs with an emphasis on Aviation and Poland. In 1949, Ed met Rose Kuzma in New York and she became his bride two years later. Both Rose and Ed were very proud of their Polish heritage, and during their 66 years of marriage, they were involved in numerous Polish and Polish-American organizations, including The American Institute of Polish Culture. Both served on the Board of the Directors from its early years, and both have been an integral part of the Institute’s growth and accomplishments during the past four decades. Ed personally received an Order of Merit from President Lech Walesa on behalf of the Polish government for his enduring dedication to Polonia. Both have also spent a lifetime being guided by a strong love for the Catholic faith. 84
Good News
Ed died on May 8, 2017 at the age of 94. He is survived by Rose, their four children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was a man of far reaching vision and fortitude who will be remembered for his achievements in the world of aviation, and for his kindnesses, love of life, dedication to following his dreams, and the vast knowledge he gave so often to so many. He was interred at his and Rose’s beloved National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. One of Ed’s favorite statements was, “I feel like a kid inside,” and his seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm proved it over and over again. Our deepest sympathy goes to Rose and her family. Ed will live on in our fond memories.