This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Nearman, Gajewski, Klimaszewski, Sheskey Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kFB.2ACI/1957 Message Board Post: Nearman, Robert Edward (aka Gajewski) Bay City, Michigan Mr. Nearman passed away early Friday morning, May 28, 2004 at the Bay Medical Care Facility after a valiant 6 month battle against brain cancer, age 86 years. Robert was born in Buchtel, OH on February 20, 1918 to Anthony John Nearman (aka Gajewski) and Anna Veronica nee Klimaszewski (aka Sheskey). He moved to Bay City a few years later with his family. Before he finished his schooling, he quit to enter the workforce to support his family which included his mother, brother Paul and sister Mary. Later on in life, he stepped in again when Mary's husband, Walter E. Czuba died in 1951, leaving two young children, Gary and Robert Czuba. The Czuba family moved in with Robert, and he became their role model, supporter, and surrogate father. They couldn't have had a better role model, and Uncle Bob was loved like a father and a grandfather. He was also adopted by the the Clarence Stroemer family, including Tom Stroemer, Cindy Rabideau, Sheryl Gomez, Beth Kukla, and Stephanie ! Kalinowski and their families, who lovingly referred to him as "Uncle Bob". He was known for handing out "big nickels" (50 cent pieces) to Stephanie when she was a child. Robert was a kind, supportive, generous, Christian man who loved unconditionally. How blest we all were to have him in our lives. Bob was a member of St. James Church, he retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1979. During his employment with MIDOT, he worked on the construction of I-75 & US 10 from Detroit to Indian River. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, nephews: Robert Czuba, Gary (Kathleen nee Stroemer) Czuba; grand nephew: Daniel (Darcelle) Czuba, and grand niece Laura Czuba all of Bay City, his good friend Herb Stevenson, who visited him faithfully during Robert's illness, and his friend Pat from the Division of Aging. He was predeceased by his mother in 1981, his father in 1962, his brothers Eugene in 1931, Paul in 1996, and his sisters, Catherine in 1932 and Mary! Czuba in 2000. Funeral Mass and Committal Service will take place We dnesday, June 2, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. from St. James Church. Fr. Jack Johnson will officiate with burial in St. Patrick Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6 - 9 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until time of Mass. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. In lieu of flowers those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. James Church. Ambrose Funeral Home 1200 Garfield Ave. Bay City, MI