Five special people and friends remembered following their recent deaths
Time to remember a few friends from past columns. A few were just friends. All were outstanding individuals.
David Bainbridge knew local history like no one else. History tidbits on everything. He was the curator of the Northern Indiana Historical Society when it was at the 1855 Courthouse. He started in the early 1980s and watched it all bloom and move to today’s site, where it's now known as The History Museum. He died on July 12.
He proudly was involved in the development and the move to the Washington Street location at Copshaholm. David knew about local industries, baseball and retail stores. He could talk at length about movie theaters, local restaurants, Oliver plows and the Fredrickson candy store.
Namely News: South Bend history enthusiast has his second and third book out and another in the works
He was involved in the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County and served as a board member. That was right in his wheelhouse — history and Michigan.
Back at the courthouse museum, the exhibit space was small but mighty. Every time a store closed downtown, he said, he got another glass case. That would double the exhibition space.
His love of history started as a love of collecting. He had collections from Valentine cards to Christmas decorations. He knew other collectors, such as John Charles Bryant, who loved art.
David treasured it all and loved to talk. He was truly a font of information. No one was more interesting than David.
'Mr. More Fun'
Ray Patnaude was "Mr. More Fun." As the photographer who took most of the senior class photos for South Bend schools for decades, he would say “more fun” to get more smiles.
And for decades, he couldn’t walk through a grocery store without hearing his catch phrase.
Ray turned 100 last year and talked about his life as a photographer at McDonald’s Studio, his upbringing, his faith, his wife and his family. He sat outside his home and reflected on a good life, being busy and his craft.
Ray died June 27, a bit short of 101.
He loved photography and didn’t think much about that digital stuff.
Tribune alumnus and Sunburst volunteer
Ray Demski was a circulation manager for The Tribune and longtime volunteer for the Sunburst. He had a big smile and personality.
He was recently featured in this column back in May about the Central High School Class of 1953. About 15 members of the class met at Perkins Pancake House.
They talked about the good days, class events and continuing the Central spirit. They sang the school song and ate pancakes.
Ray was a friend from the powerful Tribune days. In addition to circulation duties, he helped the photo staff at Notre Dame football games, either in the press box or on the field. Ray said those days were long but great fun. He loved the photographers and the thrill of football.
Ray and his wife, Pat, celebrated their 64th anniversary and Ray’s 90th birthday in June.
Ray died on July 17. I know I will miss, “Hey, Kathy. What’s new with The Tribune?”
A model busia
Mary Lou Kuczmanski died on June 30 at the age of 85. She fed me numerous times on Memorial Day. Everyone came to her kitchen for breakfast following the Ford Street parade.
She was the model of a perfect busia, which is Polish for grandmother. She baked, cooked and shopped. She had words of wisdom and recipes. Mary Lou loved her family. She chatted away and hugged everyone.
Occasionally, The Tribune needed a few select Polish words for a story, usually around Dyngus Day. Mary Lou was our go-to person. We developed a way to rank Dyngus Day celebrations from M.R. Falcons to downtown sites. The great minds in the newsroom wanted Polish words for excellent, good, poor and awful.
After I explained it to her, I knew she was shaking her head and wondering why she picked up the phone. She came with our words or close to what we wanted.
Yes, she was a model busia.
Chats and cookies in the neighborhood
Sarah Mesaros was 89 when she died in May. Not well known outside her neighborhood, but she was a legend to some. Sarah had endless energy and gumption. Before retirement, she worked as a cook at Washington High School. After retirement, she took care of her husband, son and dog. Her yard was perfect. The garden was flawless and the windows were spotless.
She was the neighbor who brought up the trash can from the curb and made cookies at Christmas. Sarah loved my dog and provided treats for the little mooch.
Sarah mowed her lawn on Thursday, went to the hospital on Friday and died Saturday.
I already miss the chats and cookies from this perfectly wonderful neighbor.
Writer’s note: I recently learned that the Bill Moor blog site moorandmore.net is no longer in operation. Sorry to misdirect you. Readers will miss all the stories.
Kathy's email is kfborlik@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Tribune columnist remembers five recently deceased friends
