Ed - The Early Years

Edward Louis Kosiewicz was born at home to Julia Swyt Kosiewicz and Ben (Boleslaw) Kosiewicz on September 7, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio. It was likely he was named Edward after his Uncle and Louis after his Mother's Grandfather. He was the only child for a year and half at which time the family expanded to include dad’s only sibling, Walter (Buddy) Kosiewicz.

Dad & Buddy grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio. They did not have a car through their grade school years, so to get anywhere they either walked, took the bus, or rode the street car. Most of the kids they played with in the neighborhood were in different grades and went to different schools, so friends at home were separate from friends at school. Dad took part in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, University Settlement (pic of Dad & Buddy in the canoe), and summer camps. As we all know, and his mother always swore by, Ed was perfect from day one! The only dirt we could dig up on Dad from his childhood is that he used his grandfather’s good lumber to make a soap box car and got in big trouble for it.

Dad attended St. Stanislaus kindergarten through eighth grade. Graduation from kindergarten was a big deal in the Polish neighborhood, and he dressed in the traditional robe and miter for the occasion. He also took part in school plays and dreamed of being an artist. He graduated from St. Stans in the eighth grade which was also considered another milestone in the neighborhood.

After refusing a scholarship to St. Stans, Dad attended Cathedral Latin High School for one year. He transferred to South High School where he acted in school plays, worked back stage, and sang in the acappella chorus. He also had the illustrious status of being one of the last male cheerleaders before they started allowing girls to participate. He joined the naval reserves and attended Great Lakes boot camp in the middle of a freezing cold winter. During his high school years his best subject was math (which apparently skipped a generation) and had the honor of giving a speech at his graduation ceremony.

Dad and Buddy spent their summers camping, canoeing, and fishing at Pymatuning Lake (where he honed his great fishing skills). Although there were just the boys and some cousins, there were many Aunts and Uncles. Grandpa Kosiewicz had 7 brothers and 1 sister. Grandma had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. With many relatives, there were always family functions to attend and lots of good Polish food to consume (can you taste Grandma’s apple turnovers now?). His Auntie May and Uncle Wally included the boys in many activities and they lived next door at one point. Later he became closer to his Uncle Stanley & Aunt Felecia and his Aunt Ceil.

Dad had a great love for education and desired to attend college, but his parents did not have the money to send him. So he went to work for Grabski’s car dealership, washing then undercoating and painting cars in the body shop. After a year of working at the dealership, his Uncle Sig offered to help pay for college. He immediately enrolled at Ohio State University with the intentions of becoming a Civil Engineer and dreamed of designing and building roads in South America. After 1 ½ years at OSU, he transferred to Fenn College (now Cleveland State) and enrolled in the Engineering Science program. While attending Fenn, he co-opped at Sohio and McKee’s, an engineering firm in Cleveland, where he was introduced to the world of computers. He became a computer programmer using assembly language programming software mainly for outside customers who wanted to use the computer at McKee. He graduated from Fenn with a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree with a major in math. (How’s that for a Polak?) He ended up quitting his job at McKees when they did not give him a raise after graduation. His mother thought he was nuts for doing that, but Dad always stood up for what he believed in and after all he is an engineer at heart... no gray... just black and white.

It is evident that education has always been a focus for Dad - even at a young age. There was not an abundance of money during his childhood, but he always found a way to fullfill his dreams.

Please share any fond memories you have from Dad’s childhood years by clicking on the comments link below.