My Father's Obituary

I was honored to write the obituary for my father, who passed away at age 86 yesterday. Here is the text:


Edward Michael Bouzide, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin died Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at Memorial Hospital of Oconomowoc.
He was born on October 22, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of Emil and Lilly (Wardy) Bouzide’s seven children. Edward was a chef, working in a long career at various restaurants in Oconomowoc and the Milwaukee area from 1954 to when he retired at age 80. He took pride in how much people liked his cooking.
Edward graduated from Lindblom High School on Chicago’s South Side in 1940. He attended one year of college. Edward joined the United States Army Air Corps near the end of World War II and trained as a ball turret gunner.
Edward moved to Oconomowoc in 1954. His first experience as chef was as a partner at the Strand Annex on Wisconsin Avenue in Oconomowoc, which was part owned by his sister Alice’s husband George Gazell. He also met his wife-to-be Marlene Jaki, originally from Milwaukee, shortly after he moved to Oconomowoc. He was married October 9, 1954 in Okauchee, Wisconsin. He later opened his own restaurant, Eddie’s Lunch, in Oconomowoc around 1959.
Besides his dedication to his profession, Edward also had a passion for historical reading, loved music and occasionally played piano, and worked with wood. Later in life he also became an avid self-taught knitter.
Edward is survived by his loving wife, Marlene. He was also very proud of each of his three children by whom he is also survived: daughter Lissa (Edward Gilaty) of Chicago, and his sons Paul (Catherine) of Chicago, and John (Diane) of Ashippun, Wisconsin and preceded in death by his grandson Kenneth Christenson. He is also survived by his sister Alice and preceded in death by two other sisters and three other brothers.
Visitation will be held on September 11, 2009 at the Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home in Oconomowoc from 1PM to 3PM with a service to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice.