Edward P. Jagosz of Caro, age 97, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community in Caro. Ed was born on October 13, 1917 in Detroit, the son of Polish immigrants, Thomas and Caroline (Slenczka) Jagosz. His early education began at Resurrection Catholic School, and he graduated from Wilbur Wright Cooperative High School. During his senior year, Ed was employed as a co-op student at Fisher Body, GMC. After graduating high school, he was in an apprentice program in the tool, die and machine trades. During his employment at Fisher Body, he was a leader, foreman and general foreman in the skilled trades. Ed was united in marriage with the former Helen Tofilski on October 8, 1947 in Detroit. The couple cherished more than sixty-five years together prior to Helen’s death on December 30, 2013. As a young man, realizing the importance of service to our country during World War II, Ed volunteered for service. He served in the armored infantry in the Pacific and was wounded in action. While in the hospital, he met a colonel who was a commander of an army repair ship. According to the colonel, the repair ship needed an experienced person to organize the ship’s method of processing repairs. Ed remained with the Transportation Corps for several months and was later reassigned to the Information and Education Section of the army. His duties were to be a base reporter and editor of the “Banner” an auxiliary publication of the “Stars & Stripes” which was the umbrella of the paper for which he was the editor. After the war, Ed was asked if he was willing to serve at least another year in Korea as a lieutenant in intelligence. Ed preferred to again be a civilian and chose a discharge. After discharge from the army, Ed returned to General Motors and was employed as a tool and process engineer at the Chicago GM plant. Being away from home for so many years, he left General Motors and came home, working at Ford, Chrysler and in job shops. Ed realized that he needed to further his education and received a B.S. and a M.A. from Wayne State University. He also did post-graduate work at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. He was on the adjunct staff at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, Lawrence Technological University and the Detroit Institute of Technology. Ed was employed by the Detroit Public Schools and taught at the Manufacturing Trades Apprentice School and Osborn High School. He taught drafting, mathematics, science, and English. After Ed retired from paying jobs, he became active in public service as a member of the Tuscola County Planning and Parks & Recreation Commissions, the American Legion, AMVETS, VFW, Knights of Columbus, Polish National Alliance, the American Polish Engineering Association, PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) and PRCU (Polish Roman Catholic Union of America). He was also active in the county Democratic Party as an officer. Ed is the past financial secretary of the Central Citizens Committee, and past treasurer of the Black-Polish Conference, organized and sponsored the Polish Students Club at Osborn High School, was the publisher and editor of a local bi-lingual community newspaper called the Local Observer, was a charter member of the ACTU (Association of Catholic Trade Unionists), was president of Council 7 Polish National Alliance, Bay City, was vice-president and financial secretary of Lodge 2318 PNA and president, vice-president, and secretary of Lodge 3046, PNA. Ed organized and displayed items pertaining to Poland for the October Polish Heritage Month in several libraries in Tuscola County, was instrumental in having the Polish Weekly donated to libraries in Tuscola County, organized and sponsored the traditional Wigilia and Swieconka in Tuscola County and reinvigorated the White Eagle Lodge in the Thumb Area. He assumed the leadership role of St. Casimer Society in Bay City, sponsored annual Christmas parties for children in Council 167 and sponsored trips to Polish Catholic Churches in Detroit from the Thumb area. Ed took three trips to Poland and afterward wrote articles for various newspapers detailing his experiences on the trips. Ed is survived by his two children, Thomas Jagosz and his wife, Fumiyo, and two granddaughters, Mayabeth and Emmianne, all of Manhattan, Kansas; and Karolyn Jagosz-Stokley and her husband, John Stokley, of Longs, South Carolina; step-granddaughter, Heather Rice and her husband, Matthew, and their children, Alex, Ben and Grace, all of Macomb; one sister, Dolores Ranger and her husband, Thomas, of Utica; and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2015 at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Campus, in Caro with Rev. Dennis Kucharczyk officiating. Military honors, afforded by the American Legion Post #7 in Caro, will follow the service. Burial will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. There will be a Knights of Columbus rosary service and Vigil for the Deceased on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, In Memory of Edward Jagosz, For CLC, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.
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