Edward J. Wierzbicki Jr

Edward J. Wierzbicki Jr., 84, of Otter River, was called home by his Creator on Monday, August 8, 2022.

Born in Gardner on May 24, 1938, he was the son of the late Edward J. Wierzbicki Sr. and Mary (Gorska) Wierzbicki. Edward was a United States Navy Veteran serving from 1955 to 1959. During his time in the Navy, Edward was stationed on the USS Randolph and traveled throughout The Mediterranean, Central and South Americas. After leaving the Navy, Edward worked as a Toolmaker at Electric Boat in Groton, CT. He also spent time living with his brother, Eugene, in Anchorage, AK. Upon returning back to Gardner, his brother Michael and sister-in-law Virginia introduced Edward to Virginia’s friend, Marie. Edward and Marie were married on September 17, 1972. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary next month. Edward was employed by Harrington Richardson where he worked in research and development creating prototypes of guns for over 35 years prior to his retirement.

Edward was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish/ Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner and was a member of the Polish American Citizens Club of Gardner.

Edward loved working in his machine shop, often joined by his brother, Michael. The two spent endless nights in the shop together building new guns, recreating antique guns, drinking scotch, and smoking cigars.

He was a perfectionist and an artist with everything he touched or built. From a block of wood or a piece of metal, Eddie could create not only a gun, but a masterful work of art.

If you had a broken part, to anything, he could likely make you a new one—from scratch. He was great at fixing things and helping people. No job was too hard, No favor was too big. If you needed a tool, Ed had it.

He loved dancing with his wife, in particular the polka. He enjoyed going out for breakfast.

He had a sense of humor; he could be fresh.

He could be stubborn.

He loved retelling stories from his childhood with his siblings… always in a broken Polish accent, in a dialect they seem to have created themselves.

He also often enjoyed speaking in a broken Japanese accent… the origin of which remains unknown, but it was certainly a part of Eddie.

Edward’s greatest joy in life was his daughter, Kara. He adored her and it was evident to anyone that knew him. The two were best friends for many years. Becoming a “Grampie” only grew his heart. He loved spending time with his grandchildren Zhu-Zhu, Peanut, Benny-Boo-Boo and Jake

Edward was a good man, a giving man, a humble man. He was sharp. Classy. He was a Patriot. He believed in working hard for every penny he earned; a proud member of the “do for yourself” generation. He was a wonderful and loyal husband, an unconditionally loving father and grandfather, a beloved brother, uncle, and friend to many.

Most importantly, Edward found salvation through his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While the pain of his loss is great, the comfort of God’s Promise is greater.

Edward is survived by his loving wife of 49-years, Marie I. (Gaudet) Wierzbicki of Templeton; a daughter, Kara M. Rodrick and her husband Benjamin of Connecticut; four grandchildren, Jake Rodrick, Zita Lahhoud, Eva Lahhoud, and Benjamin Rodrick Jr., two brothers, Michael Wirzbicki and his wife Virginia of Gardner and Joseph Wierzbicki of Indiana, a brother-in-law, John Gaudet and his wife Frances of South Carolina, three sister-in-laws, Judith King of Gardner, Dianne Wierzbicki of Ohio, and Deborah Wierzbicki of Minnesota, several nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

He was predeceased by a brother, Eugene Wierzbicki; a sister, Sabina Evans and a brother-in-law Allen Evans.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 15, 2022, with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial with Military Honors will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

Calling Hours will be held Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or on their website at (www.stjude.org). Please reference in memory of Edward J. Wierzbicki Jr.