William 'Buck' Haluska

WATERSMEET, Mich. - William "Buck" Haluska, a lifelong resident of Watersmeet, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2022, with his loving family by his side.

Buck was born on Aug. 22, 1927, and was blessed with 94 amazing years. In 1945, he graduated from Watersmeet High School.

After graduation, Buck sailed on the Great Lakes on the Elton Hoyt and the Isaac L. Ellwood until he was drafted. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947, in Company I, 23rd Infantry, 88th Military Police Company. Buck was part of an elite group that was stationed on Governors Island in New York. He performed MP duties on the ferry, transporting civilian and military personnel and vehicles from Governors Island to New York City, New York, and back. Buck checked passes of both military and civilian personnel and kept order on the ferry. He also did post patrol checking on traffic violators.

In 1947, Buck worked for the United States Government in Watersmeet as a heavy equipment operator. In 1949, he went to Chicago and worked for Sew Your Cotton Products.

On May 6, 1950, Buck married Rosmond Hupp at Hyacinth Catholic Church in Chicago. He was happy to return to the Upper Peninsula (Watersmeet) in 1952, where he worked for N.J. Kolinsky as a landscaper. In 1960, Buck worked for the Gogebic County Road Commission where he became a foreman. He retired in 1982.

Buck loved the outdoors. He was an avid trout fisherman, deer hunter and was always ready for a good card game of smear, scratch or cribbage after church. He was a quiet man whose joy came from being with family. Buck loved animals and trained all the dogs his family brought home. He was fondly known as "PaPa Buck" to the grandkids and great-grandkids who loved him dearly.

His compassion, strong will and eventual acceptance of limitations in his later years were admired and revered. He truly was a member of the "Greatest Generation," who was guided by God given morals and faith. Buck was the oldest World War II veteran in Watersmeet and a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watersmeet.

Buck is survived by a son, James (Tammy); a daughter, Carol (Leland) Kersten; two grandsons, Matthew (Samantha) Kersten and Jason Haluska; two granddaughters, Sheila Haluska and Malorie (Christopher) Zimmerman; seven great-grandchildren, Mason, Remy, Wes, Grace, Jack, Tucker and Paityn; his stepsister, Barbara (Bill) Pietila; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Agnes (Cassidy) Haluska; his beloved wife, Rosmond; two brothers, John and Joseph; a sister, Helen Haluska; his stepbrother, James Hines; and his stepfather, Charlie Hines.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, E23933 D Ave., in Watersmeet, with the Rev. Jose Cherian, celebrant, and the Rev. Ryan Ford, concelebrant and homilist.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at the Watersmeet Township Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded by the Watersmeet American Legion Post 417 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.

Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, for their compassion, care and professionalism given to Buck while he was a resident there.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with their arrangements. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.