In Memory of

Albert

W.

Ratkiewicz

Condolences

Condolence From: MaryAnn Kazmierczak
Condolence: I had the great pleasure of meeting & knowing Al later in life. I will always remember his kind manner & friendly smile &eyes. I watched for years bring the most delicious smelling food dishes to Esther. I always kidded him that I wouldn't mind a sample! Low & behold one day brought me dinner. It was as delicious as it smelled. He always took the time to not only say hello but also to tell a joke or little story. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. To all of his family my heartfelt sympathy.
Saturday December 23, 2017
Condolence From: John McMahon
Condolence: My deepest sympathies and condolences to Sue, Ken and all the Ratkiewicz family. I'm going go ahead and say it and I don't mean any disrespect to the others but Uncle Al was/is my favorite Uncle. Uncle Al always took care of things the right way. Others may seem (they weren't) more fun or rich but when it came time to get something done or go somewhere Uncle Al was always ready to go with a smile on his face. HIs picnic prep will go down in history. He helped build the house my family grew up in with my Dad. Uncle Al had a great sense of humor and his Polish jokes were always a big hit. He had the quiet confidence to be able to laugh at oneself and not take oneself too seriously. As the son of big Dziadek (he became Dziadek) Uncle Al knew how to take care of things and people. I I deeply regret not making the funeral. I will miss Uncle Al greatly but will never forget him. His legacy will continue. He was truly one of the really great ones.I love you Uncle Al and rest in peace. You deserve it.
Saturday December 23, 2017
Condolence From: Tish Rees
Condolence: A gentle, quiet, caring and cheerful man is how I remember Uncle Al. As a child, when my Uncle’s family, Aunt Jenny, Ken and Sue, joined the large clan McMahon for various outings and celebrations, he was the silent man working behind the scenes but his contributions and mark on these celebrations was always there......the orderly doling out of sandwiches at the beach, the ice for the large wash bucket that held the “tonic” (soda) at family clambakes, and later in life, the Kielbasa Festival sign that still makes me laugh:) By far my fondest memory is of a trip to the mall that truly revealed his humor, intelligence and quick wit. We had been driving around looking for a parking spot for quite a bit when one opened up suddenly before us and he quickly pulled in. There was no time to see the car with its blinker on that had already “claimed” the spot from the other side. Knowing he had mistakenly gotten the spot but it being truly innocently done, we proceeded to exit the car though the other driver had not left the area. The woman in the other car began to yell her gripes over the spot being “stolen” and worse. Without a moments hesitation, Uncla Al looked over with a surprised look at her and said something very nicely in Polish. The woman turned to her husband in the car and said, “ Oh, it’s a dang foreigner!” A quick look to us kids and we knew to be quiet but after I hit the mall doors I laughed the whole time there. Uncle Al was not a man to pick a fight. He could stand his ground diplomatically, gently, so needed these days. He was a wonderful Uncle and an amazing example of the warmth and care of family. It is with great love and respect that I write of him today as I offer my condolences and support to my cousins and their families. All my love, Tish
Saturday December 23, 2017
Condolence From: Denise Vaillancourt
Condolence: My heart and my love go out to my beloved friend, Sue Daisy, and her beautiful family, her brother Ken and his family, and to all who loved Albert Ratkiewicz (so many!). He was a dad to all of us Assumption girls, who were lucky enough to know him. And I enjoyed seeing him long after our Assumption days -- in Maryland where Sue and I both happen to live and back in Massachusetts when we came back for Assumption reunions. He was a lovely man and such a loving dad and grandfather. He reminded me of my own dad -- the highest of compliments. He has left the legacy of a close and loving family and a life well-lived. Love and prayers to all of his loved ones suffering this great loss.
Friday December 22, 2017
Condolence From: Susan Daisey Rybos
Condolence: I knew Al for many years, and enjoyed his company at many family holiday and birthday occasions. (I also enjoyed the delicious pies he would bake!) He was always a fun person to be around and talk to, with his great sense of humor and story-telling and love of jokes and practical jokes. He was very generous with his time and would always be willing to help family members with various projects, particularly wall-papering, at which he was an expert! He taught me how to wall paper as well and, as a perfectionist, he critiqued my finished project, pointing out where I could have done it better (smile)! He was a fount of knowledge on how to do many things (the correct way), and would gladly offer advice when asked. He was devoted to his family, and friends, and was always interested in their lives and activities. Not one to talk about himself, it was only recently that, upon direct questioning, that we found out about some of his interesting experiences while serving in the Army overseas and his impressive career at Norton. He was truly one of a kind, and I will miss him but will always enjoy the fond memories I have of him. Rest in peace Al, with a life well-lived.
Friday December 22, 2017
Condolence From: Elizabeth Straub
Condolence: My Uncle Al was a wonderful person. He brought such joy to my childhood ! I will always have many, many fond memories of my great Uncle Al. May he rest in peace.
Friday December 22, 2017
Condolence From: Jean McMahon
Condolence: Uncle Al was a wonderful man. He was always fun and pleasant, a disposition we all wish we could have. We loved hanging around Uncle Al, and not just for his love of spaghettios. So many adventures to tag along with Uncle Al on his chores, riding in the trunk with the dog to the dump was always a highlight. That same trunk served as the family deli counter on family road trips. We miss your wonderful clam bakes and spooky cellar. A lovely gracious man who was so generous with his nieces and nephews all through the years. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas Uncle Al, we will miss you greatly.
Thursday December 21, 2017
Condolence From: Carol Davis
Condolence: To the family of Albert Ratkiewicz, Our sincere sympathy goes out to you on Albert's death. We are thinking of you all during this sad time. The Norton Alumni Committee
Wednesday December 20, 2017