Alexander M. Zielinski

Alexander M. Zielinski, 85, longtime resident of Springfield, and Ludlow since 2004, peacefully passed on July 11, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Teacher of fine art in the Springfield school system, artist, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Alexander was born in Springfield, MA on May 14, 1933. He was the eldest of four children born to Adolf J. and Mary A. (Leyko) Zielinski of Mielec, Poland. He attended Our Lady of the Rosary Grammar School and graduated Cathedral High School in 1947, Boston Museum of Fine Arts School, Tufts University, and Westfield State College.

He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Springfield, MA, President of its Parish Counsel and St. Cecelia Choir, and more recently, communicant of Christ the King Parish, Ludlow. He was President of the Society of Polish-American Culture, member of the Kosciuzko Foundation of Western MA, and a lecturer on the Polish Arts and Traditions. A U.S. Army Veteran, he served honorably during the Korean War. He served in the European Campaign from 1953-1955 as a corporal in the Army Security Agency-Signal Corps, in Washington D.C., Arlington, VA, Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany. After discharge he taught at John F. Kennedy Junior High School until his retirement in 1994. Alexander was a member of many teacher associations. He was an interpreter in the Polish, Russian, and German languages for local attorneys and social agencies. After a brief retirement respite, he worked for Big Y Supermarkets in Springfield and Ludlow from 1995-2014, well known for his store display artistry. He enjoyed being the family genealogist, an avid gardener, and musician playing violin and keyboards.

He leaves his Loving wife of 56 years, Barbara S. (Karas); three sons: Paul A., his wife Elizabeth of Ludlow, their children: Matthew S. and Juliette G.; Mark E. of East Longmeadow, his fiancée Lisa, his children: Jennifer N. DeVoe, Kristen J., Justin M., and Anthony D.; and Michael R., his wife Jane A. of Charlton, their children: Kenneth M., Alexander J., and Josephine (Max) A.. He leaves three siblings: Chester F. Zielinski, his wife Carol of Springfield; Edward A. Zielinski, his wife Sandy of Harwinton, CT; and Maryanne Bulewich, her husband Edward (Bud) of Windsor CT. He also leaves four great grand-children: Cayden, Madison, Sophia, and Skylar; along with many dear nieces and nephews.