Obit: Staszak, Albert #2 (1920- 1951)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Staszak, Bloczynski, Ellison, Schultz, Jelinek

----Source: Staszak Family Memoirs Collection by Agnes Staszak Schanen

Staszak, Albert (15 Apr. 1920 – 17 November 1951)

Albert Staszak Drowned in Backwaters at Hatfield –

There had been great concern and regret among the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Staszak and family of Hatfield, when it was learned that their son, Albert, who had gone deer hunting Saturday morning, was missing.  He was found at 5:15 p.m. Monday, where he had gone through the ice on the backwaters of the canal at Hatfield, not far from his home.  He was 31 years of age.

Albert left home about 7 a.m. Saturday, alone, to go deer hunting. He was not reported missing until Sunday night for his family was not alarmed when he did not return.  He worked down town at the Nelson Muffler plant and often stayed with his sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bloczynski, and it was taken for granted he was there.  When the Bloczynskis drove out to the Staszak farm Sunday evening it was learned that he had not been there and the alarm went in.  Sheriff Edward Rockney and his staff at once instituted a search, in which friends and members of the conservation commission joined.  It was feared he might have been injured in the woods.

As the search widened, and word of his disappearance spread Alden Ellison, who had been hunting in the vicinity reported having seen him about 11 a.m. Saturday. Albert was not having any luck hunting and is said to have stated that he though he would check his trap line and go home.

Apparently he took a chance on crossing the ice on the backwater, for Kip Schultz, of Hatfield, also searching about 2 p.m. on Monday, spotted his gun on the ice.  The 20 foot hole in the ice was dragged by the police department and the body was recovered at 5:15 p.m.

Albert served in the Merchant Marine during World War II, receiving a discharge in January, 1946.  He had been torpedoed and shipwrecked and had many close calls.  It is hard for his family and friends to reconcile the fact that after these harrowing experiences he would return to drown in the backwaters near his home.

Services are to be held at the Ness Chapel, at 2 p.m. Friday. Friends may call there Wednesday and Thursday evenings when the chapel will be open.

Albert is survived by his parents, three sisters and a brother; Miss Agnes, of Milwaukee; Stella, Mrs. Charles Jelinek, of Hatfield, Mary, Mrs. Leo Bloczynski, of Black River Falls and John at home.  The sincere sympathy of all goes to them in their sorrow.

Another writing of the drowning of Albert Staszak –

Hatfield, Wis. (special) – One of the tragic events of the Hatfield area during the past year was the drowning of a young sportsman, Albert Staszak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Staszak of Hatfield.

Staszak, who was in the Merchant Marine during the war and who had been one of five uninjured sailors on a torpedoed tanker, drowned when he fell through ice on the backwaters of the canal at Hatfield.

He had gone deer hunting Saturday, Nov. 17 and fell through the ice while hurrying home.  His gun was found on the ice and his body later was recovered from 20 feet of water.

Staszak, 31, was fond of sports.  He fished, hunted and trapped.  Last summer he caught several muskies in the same area where he drowned.  One of the fish was 41 inches long.  Staszak also had hunted and fished in Canada.  In addition he was active on bowling and softball teams.

While with the Merchant Marine fleet, he was on a torpedoed ship and also had been on one that was bombed during the D-Day invasion.  He visited many foreign countries and had collected souvenirs from each. 

Hatfield, located north of Black River Falls in Jackson County, is famous for its fishing facilities.