Edwin B. Brzezinski, Sr.was born May 26, 1931 on Montgomery Street in St Louis, Missouri. With the exception of his military service, he lived in St Louis his entire life, including over 60 years in one zip code.
Ed graduated from Beaumont High School and very proudly sang both verses of the fight song. A dash man, he lettered in track, and was especially proud of one race he ran in world record time, only to find out the course was marked incorrectly!
In 1949 he accompanied his grandfather to Chicago to attend a picnic given by their Polish church. It was there that he met Eleanor Twardzik. She was 16, he was 18 and he asked her to dance. As they say, the rest is history.
Ed attended Washington University and received a bachelors degree in political science. A member of ROTC, the same day he graduated he and Eleanor got engaged, and he asked for immediate deployment. Officer training in Army Security was next, in Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. Ed loved telling the story that the Army asked for his input on where he would deploy. He said Poland, Hawaii or anywhere in Europe. The Army sent him to Korea.
Ed left active military service as a 1st lieutenant and continued in the reserves for a number of years. He was always extremely proud to have served his country. Ed returned from Korea in April 1955, married Eleanor in May and started law school in September. Ed Jr. was born in February the following year, growing their family.
A few years later, the family moved to Crestwood in what turned out to be the best special neighborhood anyone could ask for. The family grew, adding daughters Ellen and Elaine, and the world’s best dog Zippy.
While Ed started his legal career with a law firm, he joined the Missouri Highway Department for 11 years and then became an Assistant United States Attorney. He served the US government as an AUSA for 26 years, litigating hundreds of civil cases. He spoke of how proud he was to stand up and say, “I represent the United States of America.” He also took great pride in conducting naturalization ceremonies.
While working, Ed was dedicated to his Lodge, Crestwood Euclid Anchor, serving as District Deputy Grand Master and Worshipful Master. He served on the City of Crestwood Zoning Board for over a decade, and was a member of the Shrine.
Staunchly proud of his Polish heritage, he served as President of the Polish American Cultural Society in St Louis, and was a very active member of the American Council for Polish Culture. Over the years, there were countless presentations and displays to schools and various groups on Poland. His work culminated in Ed and Eleanor being awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
A dedicated parent, he coached endless baseball and Khoury league softball games, and served as Cub Master. He attended more tennis matches, football games, Girl Scout and Job’s Daughter events than one could count.
Ed retired on the 4th of July in 1999 and became active with the Honor Guard of the Polish American War Veterans, participating in well over 1,000 funerals at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Retirement also meant travel with Eleanor. They visited every state in the US as well as every continent except Antarctica. Riding camels in Egypt, visiting the Panama Canal, walking the Great Wall of China and of course, they visited Poland a number of times. Retirement also meant they began to enjoy extended time in Singer Island, Florida.
A lifelong Cardinals fan, Ed started watching the Cards as a member of the Knothole Gang at Sportsman’s Park – which was literally in his backyard. He was also a lifelong Blues fan, and couldn’t have been happier with the Stanley Cup win in 2019. He was also a lifelong horse racing fan, visiting horse farms in Kentucky and attending the Derby twice. He enjoyed annual family wagering on the Kentucky Derby.
In November 2021, Ed had the pleasure of traveling with other veterans to Washington, D.C. with St. Louis Honor Flight, which was truly the experience of a lifetime.
Through it all, Ed’s passion has been music. He knows every verse to more songs than we can count. From Polish polkas, musicals, Andre Reiu, you name it – he knows the song.
We are forever grateful to the Crestwood DaVita Team (Robin, Diane, Rita & Robert), Dr Heidi and our Delmar Gardens Family.
Ed leaves behind Eleanor, his beloved wife of 67 years, son Ed (Stacy), daughters Ellen, Elaine, grandchildren Jeffrey, Kimberly (Ross), great granddaughter Renelle, nephews, countless cousins, the best neighbors in the world and many many friends.
Services: Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois, Thursday, November 3rd, 4-8 p.m. with services Friday, November 4th at 10 a.m. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery. Donations to Polish American War Veterans, Salvation Army, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or St. Louis Honor Flight, appreciated.
Elaine!
I’m sure he was a special person because he raised an amazing human being: you Wishing you peace and comfort during this unimaginable time.
Dear Edwin
You will never be forgotten person in the world ever. It has not been for your sacrifices and services, I know my country couldn’t be what it is today. As Korean, as a ROTC officer in Korea myself and friend of your lovely daughter Elaine, again I appreciate everything what you’ve done .
Ed was one of my favorites. He was one of the first people to welcome me into Crestwood-Anchor and always smiled and said “hello counselor” to me, in a reference as a fellow attorney. He was one of the most humble people I’ve ever met, had so many interesting stories, and was always a joy to talk to, even though 50 years separated us in age. Ed was one of a kind and there is a hole left in our lodge and our community without him. Rest well brother and God Bless the entire family.
I remember Ed from our 2004 trip to the Baltic Capitals and the Best of Poland tour with the Polish Cultural Society of Metropolitan St.LouisThat was a great time! He will be missed.
Dear Eleanor and Family:
Ed will be missed, a lot.
We started in “A Christmas Carol” at Farragut Elementary in Miss Beeh’s 7th Grade Class. I was tiny Tim and Ed was Scrooge.
We then Matriculated to Beaumont High and Ed was still involved in many things, particularly assisting Dr. Duggans with the Track Team.
Ed was always a very good student, and always a good friend to many.
Ed was a Charter Member of our Monthly Luncheon of the Class of ’49, and we had 13 of us who met monthly at lunch and relived out Beaumont Days.
Now there are 2 of us ‘left behind’, but wee too shall one day ‘catch up’.
God’s Love always has met and always will meet every human need. I know He will meet your needs at this time, let His face shine upon you, and bring you Peace and Grace, until you are together again in Paradise.
Love,
Bill Halliburton
It was a pleasure to know Mr. Brzezinski, his wife and his family throughout lives the last 35 years. He will be terribly missed. He was the greatest ally of Polish immigrants in St. Louis & was a witness to us becoming US citizen.
Our heartfelt thoughts, prayers and condolences for the family.
Grazyna & Grzegorz Koltuniak
& Two Son’s :
Dariusz Koltuniak & Jaroslaw Koltuniak
In later life, even though it was not easy for him, he attended meeting at Crestwood-Anchor. He was great to talk with and he will be missed by his fellow lodge brothers.
He will truly be missed, I can hear his voice now singing to me. He hold a special place in my heart. So sorry for your loss Elaine love and miss you Dearly❤️
I was fortunate to have worked with Ed at the U.S. Attorneys office. We knew him as the Polish Prince. What a charmer, always had a smile and kind words. He brought Posh-Key every year even after he retired. I never learned to spell this correctly. He would regal us with his stories of the latest adventure with his wonderful wife.
My condolences to Eleanor and the family.
He truly was a Prince.
Sincerely, Jan Diltz
Our deepest condolences for your family. A Husband, Father and Grandfather like Mr. B will be missed in your lives. The happy memories remain. We are those who believe in Heaven and know that Jesus conquered death. We say goodbye on this side of life knowing that your loved one has been reborn in eternal life.
Love,
Bill and Tracy Mallette
Jupiter, Florida
Dear Eleanor and Family My sincere condolences for your loss. Have known Ed through
our Polish Church since I was 5 years old. We were folk dance partners under Miss Stephanie
Cichocka. My maiden name was Chickie Milonska. We remained good friends and kept
in touch during my 89 year lifetime. May your special memories help to ease your sorrow.
Ed is so well remembered by his many colleagues in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was an outstanding lawyer who dealt skillfully with complex litigation for the United States. As his beautiful obituary states, he was proud to represent the United States—he would say that to those of us in the office. Nothing made him happier than the hundreds of naturalization ceremonies he handled for our office. Proud of his Polish heritage, Ed genuinely enjoyed taking part in the court proceedings which welcomed people from all over the world into American citizenship. He would also deliver the Polish pastries called pazkis (really big, delicious jelly donuts) to the office on every Mardi Gras Tuesdays even in retirement. They were always well received! Ed had a smile and a good word for all. His was a life well lived. May he rest in peace.
I had the opportunity and pleasure to meet Mr. Brzezinski in his retirement years on Singer Island in Florida. My two favorite visits were his “Annual Cookout” and attending opening day Spring Training games for the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter. I recall sitting next to him on opening day and talking baseball. He was thrilled to actually be able to go a game with someone who knew baseball, it made his day, although I was a Brewers Fan…Rest in Peace
Mr. Brzezinski, it was a pleasure to meet you and your wonderful family.
Edwin!! Where to start!! I got the pleasure to take care of you the last month of your life. It was nothing but amazing listen to you and your wife sing listen to you and your daughter sing simply amazing. I am glad you’re out of pain and it was truly an honor to be able to take care of you and meet you and your lovely wife and your wonderful daughter.! 3 4 shot that sun of a whoot! I will never forget your favorite line! Take your rest my love,
Love Jessica
My Christian sympathies to you, Elli, and the rest of your family. It was a privilege to have known Ed for 25 years through the Polish Cultural Society. Remembered fondly is accompanying Elli and him on a trip to Poland in 1999.
As I heard one of his friends say, “Wherever Ed was, he lit up the room.” His personal warmth was one-of-a-kind. I will miss him!
–The Rev. Richard and Cynthia Tragasz, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Ed, I knew you as a young boy, and again later in life when we reconnected for a time while you were in Florida. You were the best cousin I could ever have! I will always treasure memories of you and Ellie-may God grant His love, comfort, and peace to all of your loved ones.
To Ed’s family for one of the best friends I ever had. Although we didn’t socialize much we knew our true feelings for one another. My story:
I met Ed for the first time in the spring of 1980 in Dexter, MO, at McDonald’s as planned. We eat lunch after pleasantries and got in my Corps of Engineers truck to view the new Castor River Project. Ed spoke little during lunch and even less as we rode along. I finally stopped and asked Ed if I had said or done something to upset him. He simply said “I hate the Corps of Engineers”. I smiled and stuck out my hand and said “I do too”. Our friendship was sealed from then on. I was a new hire transferring from TVA where I handled the preponderance of condemnation cases representing real estate and was on my first with the Corps. I had always taken an active role in the cases making sure the attorneys had all the information needed to present the Government’s case. That had not been the case with the Corps. I had to fight them to get up to speed to provide photographs, court exhibits, witnesses preparation, etc. For the next 15 years until my early retirement Ed and I were the only teammates representing the Memphis District along with contractor Chuck Pilmer, and beyond that as a contractor myself. I was his sidekick for everything he needed and was the first to travel to St. Louis to prepare cases when he needed to be close to the office. In 1983 the field office in Dyersburg was closed and all employees were transferred to Memphis. I live in the Paducah area and was just going to find something else to do. Ed stood in the gap for me and I was transferred to Cairo, IL, and was the sole realtor specialist working out of a construction field office there. Therefore, Ed was directly responsible for me obtaining enough time to secure a federal retirement. So I know that I’m preaching to the choir when I tell family and friends about the great man Ed was, but I had to share never-the-less. So God’s speed Ed until we meet again old friend. . .