Welcome to the memorial page for
John Biziewski
December 17, 1944 ~ April 16, 2017 (age 72) 72 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Nancy Haynes
April 22, 2017 4:11 PM
Deepest sympathy for your loss. You both did wonderful things for him and should remember that you were there for him always.
He had a great smile which will remain in everyone's memories of him.
He had a great smile which will remain in everyone's memories of him.
A candle was lit by Nancy Haynes
on April 22, 2017 4:05 PM
A candle was lit by Doug Marie
on April 22, 2017 3:18 PM
A candle was lit by Estelle T. Comboni
on April 22, 2017 1:50 PM
"He won't live more than an hour" is what the doctors said when John was born on December 17, 1944 in Ansonia, Connecticut. Well, evidently these doctors had never encountered the tenacity and stubbornness that runs through the veins of our family tree!
This may come as a bit of a surprise but I was a little envious of the brother/sister relationship between my Mom and Butch (John's family nickname because there were so many family members named John back in the day.) I know that sounds odd, right? Why would I be envious of a man who had cerebral palsy and could neither speak nor hear? Please allow me to explain.
Butch knew the younger version of my Mom. Butch knew "little Estelle." Sure, I have seen a few photos but he lived with the mini-version of the girl who became the best Mom ever. He had the world's best sister. Butch had history with "Little Estelle" that I would never know except through stories. Butch knew that if anyone dared to bully him, they would have to answer to his older, tough-as-nails sister. For those of you who know my Mom, do you have any doubt what the outcome would be?! :)
Also, as an only child it fascinated me to watch the brother/sister dynamic. They understood each other and communicated in a way that I could only marvel at whilst watching. Pantomine, drawings, pictures, a silly dance...whatever it took, she understood him and vice-versa like no one else could. No matter how many times she would tell people, "He's deaf; he can't hear you," people would still talk to Butch. My Mom is one of the few people who took the time to make sure there was mutual understanding. They also argued in a way I will never fully comprehend. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that Butch could not hear what his sister was saying sometimes. :)
Most of his life he lived independently working at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, Connecticut. The last 12 years, he was a resident at the Cherry Brook Health Care Center in Canton, CT. Everyone grew to love Butch and said he was always a happy person with a ready smile. He could also beat anyone at checkers. He also cheated at Parcheesi back in the day (okay, maybe that was me...but he always called me out when I was trying to pull the wool over his eyes) :)
I do not remember him holding me in his arms as a baby. My Mom tells me he always loved me more than her. I doubt that. I truly believe it was often a classic case of sibling rivalry. A rivalry and love that defied the odds for 72 years.
My grandmother passed away when Butch was 9 years old; Mom was 10. Her dying words to my Mom (Little Estelle) were, "Make sure you take care of your brother."
72 years later, here we are. Promise fulfilled.
I watched as Mom said her final good byes to her brother. She held his hand and stroked his hair and provided that final comfort that only a sister can. In silent reflection, she asked Butch to go meet their Mom. As his sister, my Mom, cared for him in life, we are comforted by the fact that their Mom is waiting to pick up where she left off.
It is a huge and daunting responsibility to make end-of-life decisions for a loved one. I hope my Mom knows that she kept her promise and took care of her brother in the best possible way to the very end. Be it visits to NYC's 42nd Street when it was wicked :) or trips to Connecticut's annual Strawberry Festivals, there are many memories to be cherished and remembered.
May Butch rest in peace. His life was a hard one filled with challenges great and small. Through it all, his happy spirit and ready smile touched everyone he met.
Love you always, Butch. God bless you for defying the odds and gracing us with your smile and goodness. You are now free to fly and play amongst the angels. Know that you can soar high, unencumbered and free to play now in our divine power's beautiful playground.....
Your niece, Estelle
"He won't live more than an hour" is what the doctors said when John was born on December 17, 1944 in Ansonia, Connecticut. Well, evidently these doctors had never encountered the tenacity and stubbornness that runs through the veins of our family tree!
This may come as a bit of a surprise but I was a little envious of the brother/sister relationship between my Mom and Butch (John's family nickname because there were so many family members named John back in the day.) I know that sounds odd, right? Why would I be envious of a man who had cerebral palsy and could neither speak nor hear? Please allow me to explain.
Butch knew the younger version of my Mom. Butch knew "little Estelle." Sure, I have seen a few photos but he lived with the mini-version of the girl who became the best Mom ever. He had the world's best sister. Butch had history with "Little Estelle" that I would never know except through stories. Butch knew that if anyone dared to bully him, they would have to answer to his older, tough-as-nails sister. For those of you who know my Mom, do you have any doubt what the outcome would be?! :)
Also, as an only child it fascinated me to watch the brother/sister dynamic. They understood each other and communicated in a way that I could only marvel at whilst watching. Pantomine, drawings, pictures, a silly dance...whatever it took, she understood him and vice-versa like no one else could. No matter how many times she would tell people, "He's deaf; he can't hear you," people would still talk to Butch. My Mom is one of the few people who took the time to make sure there was mutual understanding. They also argued in a way I will never fully comprehend. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that Butch could not hear what his sister was saying sometimes. :)
Most of his life he lived independently working at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, Connecticut. The last 12 years, he was a resident at the Cherry Brook Health Care Center in Canton, CT. Everyone grew to love Butch and said he was always a happy person with a ready smile. He could also beat anyone at checkers. He also cheated at Parcheesi back in the day (okay, maybe that was me...but he always called me out when I was trying to pull the wool over his eyes) :)
I do not remember him holding me in his arms as a baby. My Mom tells me he always loved me more than her. I doubt that. I truly believe it was often a classic case of sibling rivalry. A rivalry and love that defied the odds for 72 years.
My grandmother passed away when Butch was 9 years old; Mom was 10. Her dying words to my Mom (Little Estelle) were, "Make sure you take care of your brother."
72 years later, here we are. Promise fulfilled.
I watched as Mom said her final good byes to her brother. She held his hand and stroked his hair and provided that final comfort that only a sister can. In silent reflection, she asked Butch to go meet their Mom. As his sister, my Mom, cared for him in life, we are comforted by the fact that their Mom is waiting to pick up where she left off.
It is a huge and daunting responsibility to make end-of-life decisions for a loved one. I hope my Mom knows that she kept her promise and took care of her brother in the best possible way to the very end. Be it visits to NYC's 42nd Street when it was wicked :) or trips to Connecticut's annual Strawberry Festivals, there are many memories to be cherished and remembered.
May Butch rest in peace. His life was a hard one filled with challenges great and small. Through it all, his happy spirit and ready smile touched everyone he met.
Love you always, Butch. God bless you for defying the odds and gracing us with your smile and goodness. You are now free to fly and play amongst the angels. Know that you can soar high, unencumbered and free to play now in our divine power's beautiful playground.....
Your niece, Estelle
A candle was lit by Estelle T. Comboni
on April 22, 2017 1:43 PM
May you rest in peace, Uncle Butch or better yet....I hope you soar and fly unencumbered amongst the Divine Power's glorious Heavenscape discovering wonders great and small. Of course, the choice is yours as now you have the freedom to choose. Love, Your niece, Estelle
May you rest in peace, Uncle Butch or better yet....I hope you soar and fly unencumbered amongst the Divine Power's glorious Heavenscape discovering wonders great and small. Of course, the choice is yours as now you have the freedom to choose. Love, Your niece, Estelle
A candle was lit by Estelle T. Comboni
on April 22, 2017 1:38 PM
A candle was lit by Sandi Lund. Brooklyn, NY
on April 22, 2017 11:57 AM
Sincere heartfelt sympathy for the 2 Estelles.
Butch was a lucky man having the both of you in his life.
I will always remember his ready smile!
Rest easy in the knowledge that you always did your best
for him.
Sincere heartfelt sympathy for the 2 Estelles.
Butch was a lucky man having the both of you in his life.
I will always remember his ready smile!
Rest easy in the knowledge that you always did your best
for him.
A candle was lit by Sandi Lund
on April 22, 2017 11:47 AM
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