There’s a Siberian husky calendar on the wall in the Facilities Operations building. Every year, John Kaszewski — a 50-year -Dearborn employee who delivered mail across the university — replaced it with an updated edition. Even after he retired earlier this year, Kaszewski would come back to the office to see his friends and flip the calendar page.
“John loved dogs. John had an American Eskimo and, most recently, a Siberian husky. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't show a picture or two or talk about them. He would share stories, pictures or videos,” says Mail Services Manager Bonnie Southerland, who worked with Kaszewski for 40 years.
But, in June, Southerland changed the month. Kaszewski, who retired as Mail Services’ motor vehicle operator in January, died May 9, aged 68.
“This has to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do,” Southerland says when talking about Kaszewski for this article. “I just wish John could have enjoyed his retirement. We are sure going to miss John greatly.”
Kaszewski started at -Dearborn in September 1974 when he was 17, graduating high school only months before. He first worked in the university cafeteria and, not too long after, shifted over to work as the Mail Services motor vehicle operator in the Facilities Operations department.
“John never looked back. This was his forever job,” Southerland says. “John handled the shipping and receiving and deliveries on campus. Over the years, he delivered so many packages that he knew how to identify things by heart. He would sometimes announce what the package was to the surprise of the recipient before he even handed the package over to them. John was an all-around good guy — always pleasant, kind, sincere, smiling and willing to lend a helping hand.”
Last November, Kaszewski was honored for his 50 years of service at the Chancellor's Staff Recognition Awards. The audience gave him a standing ovation.
Kaszewski was one of the first people Southerland met at -Dearborn when she began four decades ago. She says he was a wealth of information at that time and his campus knowledge only grew over the years. “Many times when someone new was hired, John would give them the history of the buildings or would just tell them something he saw in his time here,” she says. “John never wanted to take time off as he loved his job and was just that dedicated. He enjoyed the campus atmosphere and people he worked with over the years. I miss John. We all miss his warm heart and smile.”
Outside of work and his huskies, Kaszewski loved being an uncle and great uncle, as well as fishing and watching rocket launches and air shows.
Here is a link to his — it’s straightforward and family-focused, just like Kaszewski’s nature — for people who may want to share a memory.
Article by Sarah Tuxbury
