Robert E KOLASSA

1 JUL 1923 - 13 JUN 2009

• BIRTH: 1 JUL 1923, Bronson, Branch, MI
• DEATH: 13 JUN 2009, Coldwater, Branch, Michigan

INDEX

[N29113] Robert E. Kolassa

BIRTH 1 Jul 1923
Bronson, Branch County, Michigan

DEATH 13 Jun 2009 (aged 85)
Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan

BURIAL
Saint Marys Cemetery
Bronson, Branch County, Michigan
MEMORIAL ID132112453

Robert E. Kolassa, age 85, of Coldwater, formerly of Bronson, died Saturday afternoon, June 13, 2009 at Drew’s Place. He had been in failing health. Bob was born July 1, 1923 in Bronson, son of Edward H. B. and Eleanor Barbara (Horkey) Kolassa and was a lifelong Bronson area resident. He married Doris L. Guzy on Feb. 20, 1943 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bronson. Doris died Sept. 23, 1988. He then married Marie Brumm in 1994 in Naples, Fla. Marie died in 2005. He retired in 1985 as controller of Bronson Specialties Company where he had worked for many years. He also worked as accountant over the years at the former Bronson Reel Company and at the former Ray Roussey Construction Company. An active member of St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church, Bob was the first Layman to be ordained as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. He had also served as Lector and was a member of the Choir. He served as sergeant in the US Air Force during World War II, and was the oldest living member of the Bronson American Legion Post 259. He was proud of his Polish heritage and proud that he called Bronson his home. He was one of the organizers of the first Bronson Polish Festival and was crowned King of the Bronson Polish Festival in 1986. Bob truly loved his family and win or lose, he was a die-hard Notre Dame fan. He was also a former member of the Bronson School Board and a former member of the Bronson Rotary Club and the B.P.O.E. in Naples, Fla. Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Randy Hollister of Bronson; his daughter Sharon Kolassa and her fiancé Don Schoch of Bronson; his sons and daughters-in-law, Robert E. and Ronda Kolassa, Jr and Kevin and Gayle Kolassa, all of Bronson; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his brother and sister-in-law Morris and Inez Kolassa of Bronson; and his sister-in-law, Pearl Ann Guzy of Coldwater. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Catherine Kupiecki. The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 2 - 8 p.m. Wednesday where the Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Prayers before Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, June 18, 2009 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard A. Fritz officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery with full military honors conferred by the Bronson Post of the American Legion.