Sylvester M. Gajewski

Sylvester M. Gajewski 87, 522 McIndoe Street, died Friday November 25, 2005 under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born November 12, 1918, in Wausau, son of the late Michael and Pauline (Levandowski) Gajewski. He married Helen Murawski in Wausau. She preceded him in death September 9, 2005. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army with the Military Police. Sylvester began his career with the Wausau Police department as a patrolman on May 1, 1942. After his return from the service he resumed his duty with the police department. He was promoted to police safety officer in charge of the drivers training program at Wausau High School. In 1950, he was promoted to sergeant and to detective in 1954. 1960 marked the year that he graduated from the FBI National Academy in Washington DC and in 1962, he graduated from the Keeler Polygraph School. In 1965 he became captain of detectives and in 1969 he was promoted to inspector in charge of detective and juvenile investigative bureaus. He was promoted to Chief in 1976 and held that position until he retired in 1988. After retiring, he was a bailiff for the Marathon County Courthouse until February 2005. Sylvester took great pride in his work and enjoyed going to work everyday. Among his many professional involements, Sylvester was very active in the Northcentral Chief of Police Association, was a member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and the Wisconsin Chief of Police Association. He also was an instructor in the Police Science program at the former NCTI, Wausau and was a Charter Member of the Wisconsin Polygraph Association. He was an active member of St. Michael parish, was a member of the Wausau Noon Rotary, the Knights of Columbus and the Centurions of Wausau Hospital. He was a strong supporter of Newman Catholic Schools and also supported the American Cancer Society 'Cast of Cancer'. Dad will be remembered as a family man who enjoyed helping anyone at a moments notice. He enjoyed attending athletic events and all other activities grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated in. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and especially enjoyed picking berries and sharing his homemade fruit wines with family and friends. He was very proud of his Polish heritage and recited his daily prayers in Polish. Survivors include his children, Richard (Bette) Gajewski, Ron (Mary Lou) Gajewski, Nancy (Gary) France, Susan (Calvin) Dexter, Robert (Ronda) Gajewski, grandchildren, Mark (Lynn) Gajewski, Cindy Charais, Michael (Tammy) Gajewski, John (Tracy) Gajewski, Teri (Mark) Sukanen, Nicole (Tom) Wojcinski, Patrick (Mindy) France, Kathryn France, Leokadia Dexter, Hannah Gajewski, Larry (fiance' Cassie McMurtrie), Luke(Heather) and Lauren Ruffi and Deonte Stoiber, great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Nathan Charais, Ryan Gajewski, Bradley and Matthew Gajewski, Brooke and Miranda Gajewski, Sarah and Grace Sukanen, Madelyn Wojcinski and Ryan Ruffi; a sister, Ann Graveen, Wausau, a sister-in-law, Wanda Gajewski and close friends, Ray and Marilyn Kirschoffer, Wausau. Besides his parents and wife, Helen, he was preceded in death by two sons, Michael and Kenneth, three brothers, Anthony, Adam and Leon Gajewski and a sister, Josephine Myszka. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday December 2, 2005 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch, Rev. Joseph Rafacz and Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Michael Catholic Church. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Rengel, Dr. Murdock, Dr. Cygan and the staff of Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the care and compassion extended to Sylvester. Online condolences at www.peterson/kraemer.com