Grandpa, look at all you have done. I am so honored to be part of your blood and say my last name proud. You and grandma built this family strong. In that strength we will continue to take care of grandma and each other. We will all miss you until we get
to see you again. We love you and thank you for being an amazing man through and through
one of your lucky grandchildren, Becky
Andrakowicz, Walter
ANDRAKOWICZ- Walter Andrakowicz, 83, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, was reunited with Jesus on Friday, Aug. 19. He rejoices as he joins his parents, four brothers and one sister in heaven who have been waiting to welcome him home. Born on June 5, 1928, Walt grew up on the west side of Grand Rapids. He proudly served his country in the US Navy. He married his beautiful wife Alice in 1950 and together they raised eight children in a home filled with love and faith. Walt touched the lives of many people in his 32 years as a store director for Meijer and was a much loved boss to his employees. After retirement, he joined his son, Gary, working at his business where he was loved by all who met him. He spent many summers at his cottage on Chippewa Lake and winters in Arizona, enjoying retirement with friends and family. Walt never failed to reach out to those in need and was never too busy to lend a hand. He was a diehard Lion and Tigers fan, win or lose. He loved to play cards and solve puzzles with his daughters. Walt ("Andy") will forever be held in the heart of his wife and best friend of 61 years, Alice, whom he cherished and adored. He was the world’s best father to Tom (Apple) Andrakowicz, Gary (Laura) Andrakowicz, Steve (Pam) Andrakowicz, Dan (Patricia) Andrakowicz, Jane Andrakowicz, Mary (Paul) Sipes, Michelle (Gary) Markosky, and Christy (Manny) Herrera. Proud grandfather of Ying, Jeanne, Lisa, Becky, Matt, Rachel, Kyle, Jennifer, Christi, Alicia, Kelli, Brett; great-grandfather of eight. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Jeanne Tallman, Mary Smith, Marilyn Andrakowicz, Deb Andrakowicz ; also Sister Phyllis Marie Grzeczka, a special member of the family. He will be remembered by countless family and friends who were blessed to know him. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11:00 am at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park SW. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Monday 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming. A rosary service will be held Monday evening. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Guestbook
Walter Andrakowicz
August 23, 2011
I'll miss you Papa. I couldn't have asked for a better family then what you and Grandma gave us. Love you!
Great Granddaughter, Lexi<3
Great Granddaughter, Lexi<3
I googled the word "role model" today on the net and the most popular response was Walter Andrakowicz. I truly believe this because over 20 years ago I met this man who changed my life. Michelle brought me to met her parent, Walt and Alice, for the first
time out in rockford. I knew when I entered their home that this was a place filled with love! From that day forward I watched and learned from a man who has set so many examples of how to be a true Christian. It was because of his faith in God that I made
my decision to become catholic. From his family values and kind and loving actions to his love for his fellow man he has set the bar high for the rest to follow. I will always strive to follow Walt's examples to try and better my own self and guide my son
to be just like his grandpa. Walt, I would like to thank you for blessing my life and I will never forget the many talks we had on the lake and at the shop. You will be missed greatly by all, but rest in peace knowing your legacy of compassion will live on
in your family and all of those who have had the blessing of meeting you. Thank you again for being my "role model". I love you, your son-in-law Gary (G2)
Anonymous
time out in rockford. I knew when I entered their home that this was a place filled with love! From that day forward I watched and learned from a man who has set so many examples of how to be a true Christian. It was because of his faith in God that I made
my decision to become catholic. From his family values and kind and loving actions to his love for his fellow man he has set the bar high for the rest to follow. I will always strive to follow Walt's examples to try and better my own self and guide my son
to be just like his grandpa. Walt, I would like to thank you for blessing my life and I will never forget the many talks we had on the lake and at the shop. You will be missed greatly by all, but rest in peace knowing your legacy of compassion will live on
in your family and all of those who have had the blessing of meeting you. Thank you again for being my "role model". I love you, your son-in-law Gary (G2)
Anonymous
My sympathies to all the family and friends of Walt. I was one of the many people who's life he touched while he worked for Meijer. I will always remember that big smile and powerful hand-shake. Rest in peace Walt.
Pat Gavin
Pat Gavin
Dad, you always gave so much of yourself and sacrificed so much so that we could have the things we needed and brought us up right. I hope you are proud of the person that I became and I hope I'm a lot like you as the years roll by for me. You had a fighting
spirit that I will carry with my as I fight my own cancer battle. I'll fight as hard as you did but I know you'll be waiting for me someday when my time comes. Until then, I'll miss you terribly. I'll miss our card game nights. I'll miss our conversations
and your advice. I'm going to miss every single thing about you! I love you forever and ever, Dad, that's one thing that will never change. Love your daughter, Christy
Christy Herrera
spirit that I will carry with my as I fight my own cancer battle. I'll fight as hard as you did but I know you'll be waiting for me someday when my time comes. Until then, I'll miss you terribly. I'll miss our card game nights. I'll miss our conversations
and your advice. I'm going to miss every single thing about you! I love you forever and ever, Dad, that's one thing that will never change. Love your daughter, Christy
Christy Herrera
Uncle Walt was some what of a mystery growing up because of the age difference between siblings. I did get to know him a little & I knew what a wonderful, honest, loving & genuine man he was. My father (his brother Chuck) always mentioned Uncle Walt with
love and admiration. All of you in the immediate family of this man were & are truly blessed to have been loved & raised by this wonderful man. He had a heart like no other & I'm proud to say that I'm glad to have been a part of his life, no matter how small...he
always had a way of making you feel like you were the only one in the room he was talking to. I will miss you Uncle Walt, may you always be at peace.
Kayte Andrakowicz-Trumbull
love and admiration. All of you in the immediate family of this man were & are truly blessed to have been loved & raised by this wonderful man. He had a heart like no other & I'm proud to say that I'm glad to have been a part of his life, no matter how small...he
always had a way of making you feel like you were the only one in the room he was talking to. I will miss you Uncle Walt, may you always be at peace.
Kayte Andrakowicz-Trumbull
My thoughts and prayers go out to Walt and his family.
Kevin Dudka
Kevin Dudka
It hurts me so to have lost you Uncle Walt. It seems like not so long ago our families would all come together to share and rejoice in life. Now all of you, the sons and daughter of Roman and Anna have passed on to be with them and rejoice in the afterlife
of your family. You have left me so many wonderful memories that I will carry with me through the rest of my life. You were very special to me. Though I am not able to be there, you will be in my heart today and every day. I know my father will be so glad
to see you in heaven. I'm sure you will all have so much to catch up on. Thank you for being a part of my life and for sharing your thoughts, your hope, and your love with me. I am eternally grateful. I will not say goodbye to you today, but rather peace until
we meet again. (Your nephew)
William "Andy" Andrakowicz
of your family. You have left me so many wonderful memories that I will carry with me through the rest of my life. You were very special to me. Though I am not able to be there, you will be in my heart today and every day. I know my father will be so glad
to see you in heaven. I'm sure you will all have so much to catch up on. Thank you for being a part of my life and for sharing your thoughts, your hope, and your love with me. I am eternally grateful. I will not say goodbye to you today, but rather peace until
we meet again. (Your nephew)
William "Andy" Andrakowicz
All my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this difficult time. He leaves a legacy behind and a loving family that continues to bring that forward!
Leslie Grable
Leslie Grable
Our sympathy to you Alice and family on the death of a special person. We worked with Walt at Meijer on Leonard and Walker (#10) for many years. He was one of the best bosses there ever was! He was always very friendly and his smile was the best. He always
expressed interest in us and our families when we would meet years later on. May your memories of him strengthen you and be cherished.
Jerry and Mary Winters
expressed interest in us and our families when we would meet years later on. May your memories of him strengthen you and be cherished.
Jerry and Mary Winters
Walter Andrakowicz is a man that my husband and I knew through the eyes of his daughter, Mary, and her husband Paul. Mary’s love, Paul's love for Walt was palpable whenever they spoke of him. To be so loved is all one can hope for in this life. We are
saddened by Walt's passing, but rejoice in the belief that he rests in the blessed arms of our lord in peace and in everlasting joy.
Mike and Becky Hulea
saddened by Walt's passing, but rejoice in the belief that he rests in the blessed arms of our lord in peace and in everlasting joy.
Mike and Becky Hulea
Walt was a wonderful influence during my years at Meijer and beyond. My best to Jane and Gary and the rest of the family. Sincerely,
Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown
many, he leaves a legacy of love! Thank you for allowing me to get to know your family, I feel truely blessed!
Jennifer Haverkamp RN