Carl A. Szawica, 63, of LaPorte, died June 1, 2014.
He was born March 28, 1951.
Carl was a graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. He shared his lifelong passion for all genres of music with others beginning in his teenage years, playing and singing in a variety of bands, including country, rock and polka. He was an all-around entertainer. He played in the LaPorte City Band for several years and was a member of the American Federation of Musicians. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Carl was a bright light of joy in the lives of many with his humor and kindness; a conduit of family history and lore; a garage sale aficianado and collector of eccentricities. He was most fond of his Scrooge McDuck collection. Carl was also a very “punny” guy. Everyone he knew will miss his upbeat nature and robust laughter.
Carl is survived by his loving family, including two sisters, Claudia West of Cape Coral, FL, and Alice (Bill) Mathews of LaPorte; nieces and nephews, Carolyn Mathews, Daniel Mathews, Joseph Mathews, Laura Kendall, Thomas Mathews, Angela West, and Christopher West; and many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose (Wozniak) Szawica, and father, Stanley Szawica.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, LaPorte. Visitation will be at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Thursday, June 5, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. Burial will follow the Mass at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.