Edward "Fast Eddie" Martin Zawislak's Obituary
Edward, “Fast Eddie,” Zawislak passed away January 9th from natural causes at his home in Puyallup. Eddie was 71 years old. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Karen, his son Chris (Kathryn), his daughter Becky Spitznas (Karl), grandsons Nicholas and Dainin Zawislak, and Allister Spitznas, and his granddaughter Amelia Spitznas. He also leaves behind his brothers Frank and John, his sister Genie Bartolac, six brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, twenty-one nieces and nephews, precious grand nieces and nephews, dear neighbors, cherished friends, and good buddies.
Eddie was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma, November 21, 1947. He was the sixth child of Marion and Genevieve Zawislak. He attended Holy Rosary Elementary School, Bellarmine Prep, and Tacoma Community College. He was a Morse Systems operator and instructor for four years in the US Air Force. Before separating from service, he trained with the Seabees. When he returned home, he worked out of the Laborers Union, then as a rigger for Foss Wire Rope, and as a salesman and manager of Foss Machinery Rentals. He moved on to Hertz Equipment Rental, then Alpine Equipment Rentals where he was part owner and managed the Tacoma branch. After Alpine sold, Ed marketed tower cranes for Sunnen Crane Service and Coast Crane.
Eddie was past president of the Tacoma Propeller Club, and a member of Associated General Contractors. He served on the Bates Technical College Foundation Board. He volunteered for FIRST Robotics. He was instrumental and very proud of acquiring resources, materials and funds for the Fireboat installation and the Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the Tacoma waterfront.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, Papa, and family man. He loved camping, watching sunsets on the mountain or the ocean, hiking, and star gazing. He was a golfer. He was a great dancer. He worked hard to make his yard beautiful. He was patriotic. He was friendly, fun and funny. He was a joke teller. He proudly claimed to be a salesman and former box boy. He gave 110% to every job he did. He was generous and helpful. He was a genuinely good, good man. He is forever in our hearts.
Friends and family will gather for a memorial celebration of Eddie’s life on Saturday, February 9, 2019, from noon to three, at CI Shenanigan’s, Tacoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pierce County food banks, WA State Special Olympics, or FIRST Robotics.
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