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Bernard (Ben) Joseph Nawrot
October 13, 1917 - July 26, 2004
We are here today to say goodbye to our Dad, grandfather, husband, uncle, and old friend Ben Nawrot. I�ve known Ben for over 43 years, having married his daughter, Diane, 42 years ago.
When I first met Diane's Dad, I was a little afraid of him. I was a young kid fresh out of the Navy, and he was a big, tough, outdoorsmen, who had a strong presence about him. Everyone who knew Ben knows he had a way of making a point that everyone listened. His favorite expression was I am not YELLING, Im just having a discussion. But I was soon to learn his bark was worse than his bite, because he had a soft heart filled with kindness and love for his family.
Perhaps the most memorable thoughts about Ben I can recall are those dealing with his hospitality and generosity. I think we can all agree how much fun we had visiting with Dad and Mom on Joy Road for the summer get togethers. There was always plenty to eat and drink, and lots to laugh and talk about. The men, of course would retire to the back of the yard for some hot horse shoe matches. And if I were lucky, I would draw Ben as my partner.
Ben always showed this kindness and generosity to his family. If any of us ever needed to borrow a tool, or needed something he had, he would give it without question. I don't know how many tanks of Ben's boat gas we burned up water skiing on Houghton Lake, but he never would take payment or allow us to fill the tank.
Nothing pleased Ben more than having his family around him; especially if there were some of his friends nearby that he could show them off to. Ben was very proud of his daughters, even though they didn�t go hunting and fishing with him.
In the early years, when our family vacationed on Otsego Lake with Mom and Dad, I had the pleasure of going bass fishing with him and his good friend Bob Rice. Ben always knew where the fish were, and what to use to catch his limit. Later, Pats husband Bill came into the family, and he and Ben hunted and fished together as often as they could get away for a weekend at the lake. Pat and Bill remember the fun they had at Ben's club, and the long evening deer rides.
He also loved and was proud of his four grandsons, Roger, Randy, Christopher and Steven. He would enjoy their visits and if time would allow, he would take them fishing for Blue Gill and Walleye, while passing on his skills as an angler. Ben and Helen also accepted and loved their two granddaughters-in- law who blessed them with six great grandchildren. He always enjoyed seeing them on their visits to Houghton Lake.
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Ben attributes his and Helen's long life to all the Walleye and Venison he has kept the family supplied with through the years. He always got his limit on a daily basis.
His hunting and fishing came to an end however when he lost his sight to macular degeneration. He was then confronted with a new mission in life, caring for Helen after her stroke. He was devoted to her and spent day and night caring for her every need. He would say, You took care of me all these years now it is my turn. During this time, Ben tended to his little rose garden, where he would pick Helen a fresh bouquet to brighten up her day. He always told her he would take care of her as long as he lived, and for the past six years he did.
Not too many days ago, when his illness caused delirium, he told Diane to hurry up, he was saving seats for them, the big crowd of fishermen were getting all the fish. Diane says she is glad that he was engaged in his favorite pastime, but more importantly that he was saving seats for his family.
No matter how sick he was, or what he was thinking, he always took Helen's hand and gave her a kiss good night, even up to his last day.
One of his great-granddaughters, Olivia, when she heard about her Grandpa Nawrot imagining strange people in his bedroom, said, she knew who they were, They were angels coming to take grandpa to heaven.
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by Roger Graves
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