Benjamin "Ben" Zaleski, Sr.

Benjamin "Ben" Alfred Zaleski, Sr., 83, of Lake Charles died at 12:15 AM on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in a local hospital. Mr. Zaleski was born on September 23, 1931 in Sayreville, NJ where he lived until he got a job transfer to Lake Charles, LA in 1979. He was a graduate of Sayreville High School before joining the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a maintenance supervisor for Cities Service for 17 years and was a carpenter by trade. Mr. Zaleski was a long time member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church before joining the parish of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church and was a member of Monsignor Cramer's Assembly Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed bowling and golf. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 60 years, Phyllis Zaleski of Lake Charles; three children, Ben Zaleski, Jr. and wife Tyri of Durango, CO, Michael Zaleski and wife Kay of Muscogee, OK, and Susan Zaleski of Iowa; four grandchildren, Christopher Allen Zaleski of Omaha, NB, Jillian Jurgensen and husband Jeremy of Groton, CT, Gabriel "Gabby" Zaleski of Durango, CO, and Kristina Schwarz and husband Jordan of Charlotte, NC; three great grandchildren, Janelle and Jeremiah Jurgensen and Julianne Schwarz; a sister-in-law, Pearl Zaleski of Spotswood, NJ; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Frank Zalewski and four siblings, Chester Zaleski, Mary Smolinski, Viola Brzozowski, and Henry Zaleski. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Monday from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM with a cursillo rosary being recited at 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Tuesday from 8:00 AM until leaving for the church at 9:30 AM.