- Date Of Birth: May 25, 1939
- Date Of Death: September 17, 2016
- State: Illinois
The life journey Paul Smudzinski came to an end the early morning hours of September 17, 2016 as he passed from this Earth at home enveloped in the love of his dear family.
Paul was born on May 25, 1939 at St. Mary’s Hospital in LaSalle, IL, the second son of John and Mary (Jakubczak) Smudzinski. He was baptized at St. Hyacinth Church. He married Marilyn Dzik on July 9, 1960 at St. Hyacinth Church. She survives along with their four children, Julie Cullinan of Peru, Mark Smudzinski (Deborah Flores) of Mesa, AZ, Kenneth (Linda) Smudzinski of Crestview, FL and Laurie (Michael) Ellerbrock of Oglesby.
Paul attended LaSalle-Peru Township High School, graduating in 1956. He then attended L-P-O Junior College in 1958 after which, he studied at Illinois Normal University for one-year, majoring in secondary education and political science. During his years of high school, junior college and college Paul developed a keen interest in our country’s military history, political science and biography which never left him. He was a devoted reader of our country’s historical growth and involvement in the World Wars and Korean Wars. Before he could begin student teaching, Paul left the university and entered the labor market.
While still a student he worked at the H. Levine Co in LaSalle as a warehouse worker/truck driver. He enjoyed these years working while in high school and junior college. This work gave him an appreciation for hard physical labor. These were the years before any automation and would serve to form his character as he transitioned into working for the global employer, Caterpillar Tractor Co., which he began employment in August, 1959.
Paul gradually became involved in the union representation aspects of his job. He joined United Auto Workers Local 145 and along with his work for Caterpillar, became a part of the elected office procedure that was Local 145 U.A.W. He advanced to Shift Steward, then Chief Steward for several years until he was elected as a Bargaining Committeeman in the Assembly Area.
He continued to work in the factory but now also was an advocate in the grievance structure in the upper levels at Local 145. Paul participated at the Local and National levels for the U.A.W. with Caterpillar in the 1970 and 1979 negotiations. These experiences left a lasting impression on Paul’s attitude towards workers and management. As the years went by, he concluded involvement in elected office and just worked full time in the factory.
It was time to retire which he did on June 30, 1991, under the “30-and-out” attained in the 1970 National Negotiations. Post retirement Paul joined the Local 145 U.A.W. Retirees and was soon elected Recording Secretary. He held this position for at least 10-years.
Paul was a man of deep faith and served the Lord and his church home in various capacities. He lectored at St. Joseph’s Parish for about 35-years and was President of the Holy Name Society in the 1970’s. He taught a CCD class for a year and a member of Divine Mercy Adoration Group at St. Thomas More in Dalzell. Wishing to apply his spirituality to the greater good, Paul joined the Oblates of St. Bede in 1992. He served on the Advisory Board of the Catholic Charities beginning in 1991 until 2011.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his sister Dianne (Ron) Frederick. Also surviving are grandchildren Stephen Cullinan of Peru, Gary (Gabrielle) Smudzinski of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Kristin Cullinan of LaGrange Park Illinois, Jennie (Ryan) Keller of Tucson, AZ, MMFA Christopher Smudzinski (Crestview, FL currently based with the US Navy at NS Mayport in Jacksonville, FL), Jessalyn Smudzinski of Mesa, AZ, great-granddaughter Raegan Keller as well as Raegan’s little sister, Eleanor due to enter the world this December. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Edward and Donald, son-in-law John Cullinan, niece Susan Smudzinski and nephew Rick Smudzinski.
In his last days Paul was extremely appreciative of the care given him especially by Tara Murillo as well as Homebound Health Care and the staff of IVCH as well as the constant joy brought to him in his final year by Val.
