"I think everyone who is fortunate enough to be able to give should give, so everyone can celebrate," Haryasz says.
LUDLOW – Edward J. (“Ed”) Haryasz has been donating to Toy for Joy for years in memory of his father, Walter Haryasz, whom he remembers as a model dad.
“He loved children, loved his wife, loved God, loved sports. He was an all-around great man,” said Haryasz, whose father died in 2005.
Haryasz grew up in the Indian Orchard neighborhood of Springfield as one of four brothers. He came with a twin, Ted, a little bonus that was unexpected. The kids had some 15 cousins nearby.
“I come from a very loving family,” says Haryasz. His father always put up a Christmas tree, with old-fashioned lights that sent a stream of vertical bubbles, he recalls.
His mother, Agnes, still lives in the house Walter built in 1952. She used to make her children’s clothes, her son recalls. “In the ¤’40s people didn’t have a lot of money. But she did a great job raising us,” he said.
Edward’s wife, Marilyn Haryasz, also honors her own parents, Stella and Stanley Borowik, with a donation to Toy for Joy.
She grew up in East Longmeadow. When asked how they met, Edward replies, as if it were obvious: “I’m Polish and she’s Polish!”
He goes on to explain that Polish dances at Forest Lake in Palmer brought them together. When the couple married, they moved to a place near Chmura’s Bakery in Indian Orchard.
Once when they started having children, they moved to a house in Ludlow. They have three sons and five grandchildren. “Beautiful” is how Haryasz describes the family that he loves.
He and his wife are devout, and worship at Christ the King Parish in Ludlow. “Being a Christian, I like to see the ‘Christ’ in Christmas,” said Haryasz. “I think everyone who is fortunate enough to be able to give should give, so everyone can celebrate.”
For more information, call 733-7581. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Dec. 21.
Here’s a list of the latest contributors:
- In loving memory of my Dad, Walter J. Haryasz from son Ed, $25
- In loving memory of Stanley and Stella Borowik, with love from daughter Marilyn, $25
- In memory of Lily, Mike and Gerry, $20
- Merry Christmas from Cathedral High School girls basketball team, $82
- In memory of Gramp, to the best sheep farmer, love your grandson Dill, $25
- In loving memory of the Leclerc/Scibelli families, love Bill and Jocie, $25
- In memory of our friend John Schulthess III from Tom and Marge, $25
- In memory of Wing, my best hunting dog, $20
- Merry Christmas, Mike, Cindy, Holly and Matt, $100
- In honor of James Newton, Billy Swan and James Punderson, $100
- In loving memory of Mom and Dad, Anna and Walter Seifert, $20
- From Sandy and Pat, $25
- Merry Christmas to all from Pete, Kathy, Mackenzie and Shannon, $100
- Remembering Sue Muller, Shirley and George Wrinkly, love Grace, Christopher and Lucas, $30
- See you on Big Rock Candy Mountain, love to Grassman, Dave and Tbird, $100
- In memory of my good dog Daisy, you made my days happy, $100
- In memory of my husband Frank, $10
- In memory of Gramma, Grampa, Ninnie and Frank Noni, love Alyson and Chris Mastrangelo, $25
- In memory of Joe and Margaret Ambrose from their daughters, $25
- In loving memory of George W. and George R. Waterman, sadly missed by Angie, Judy and Gail, $25
- Remembering Roy, my BFF, love ETA, $20
- In loving memory of my husband Stanley Janas from Irene, $50
- Memory of Francis and Walter Raymond, $20
- Sandy and Laird, $150
- Merry Christmas from Lucas Letendre and his new sister Alexa Sadie Letendre born 10/21/12, Elk Grove, CA, $30
- Albina, $10
- Merry Christmas to Matthew, $25
- In memory of my brother Jim, $25
- There is no greater gift than a mothers love, I love you Mom from Dana, $10
- In memory of Mom, $20
- The Rauh’s grandchildren, John, Dabney, Natalie, Tyler, Hailey and Nick, $20
- In remembrance of our wonderful parents Steff and Nello, $25
- In loving memory of the Bewsee and Shea families, love JS, $50
- Anonymous, $1,000
- In loving memory of Catherine, Daryl and Christine Weckerly from Bonnie and Jeffrey, $25
- In loving memory of Eunice Henry from your favorite son, $100
- In memory of Greg from Ann, $20
- In memory of Joe, Claire and Michael from Austin Brothers Valley Farm, $50
- Merry Christmas, St. Therese of Child Jesus prayer group, Longmeadow, MA, $50
- Merry Christmas to all children from Button and Tiger, $25
- In memory of aunty Chrissie and NanaNana, love Joe Fitz, $50
- The Ed Foley grandkids, $19.99
- Thank you St. Ceilia and thank you St. Joseph, $29.83
- Anonymous, $30
- Anonymous, $20
- Merry Christmas, Jack, Caroline and Tommy, $25
- In loving memory of Leo F. Malanson from your loving family, $10
- Remembering Jim and Bill Dunn, Mom Bush and Birdie Newman-Long, $50
- In memory of Muffin, $10
- In memory of Ingrid, Fred, Granmother Lucy and Uncle Herb, $1
- Tennyson Wilson, husband and father 1984, Eric Wilson, son and brother, 1989, $10
- Your friends at Storms Forge, $122.80
RECEIVED: $3,010.62
TOTAL TO DATE: $42,857.62
STILL NEEDED: $107,142.38