For Edward Bulatek – March 8, 2010
Eulogy for Edward Bulatek, 1917 to 2010. As read by Dan Bulatek, crafted by Delia Bulatek Kraus, and written together aloud by the children and grandchildren:
“As family members got together to write this Eulogy I couldn’t help but notice how joyful and easy it was for us to start reminiscing about Grandpa. He truly always brought and continues to bring a smile and laughter to our hearts.
Despite the rumors started by the obituary run in Saturday’s Buffalo News, Edward Bulatek did not ever sing in the choir. In the entire 28 years . . . Ever. However, he played another role in church, a quieter role . . . the role of the listener, the role of the faithful. Not only did he attend church regularly, but he attended church bingo regularly. A man who enjoyed the pursuit of chance, the juxtaposition of the sweet thrill of the win against the more often tasted bitter loss. In bingo, in cards, in scratch offs, an adventure to be found in every game.
As he loved adventure, routine was also important. Breakfast was a hard boiled egg and a banana. He would wipe off his plate with paper towels at the end of every meal.
He was a gardener. His roses were well loved, weeded and tended. His cucumber frame used to over flow, it would arch over the garden, tenderly nurtured and protected by his hand.
Good cucumbers meant good pickles. Good pickles lead to good food. Good food to good gathering of family and friends. Family picnics. Beer in the yard. Horseshoes. Weddings. Reunions. Dancing the polka, the waltz, the doop-nick, the chicken dance.
He was a tinkerer, a fixer, and a collector. TV’s, typewriters, radios and flashlights he would fix it, and found value and joy in fixing the unwanted and forgotten.
His silent and tender love was unconditional and a lesson to us all. Enjoy the simple things in life.
Grandpa, you will remain in us, always wanted, never forgotten and loved by us all.