I really don’t know how much gratitude and thanks all the people of Cook County could give for Walt Mianowski. I am sure it would take more than one page to write down everything that he has done for everybody.
I have known him since I was a little kid and couldn’t even count the times I talked with him. I never heard him talk negative or bad about anybody. He was a hard worker, a janitor at the old grade school, Little League baseball coach, announcer at the football games, Santa Claus, the funny clown, and as a Lions Club member, he spent time selling tickets at the Fisherman’s Picnic. I could go on and on.
His wife Jane did so much for the high school that a room is named after her. Yes, they were two wonderful people.
Not long before Walt passed on I saw him at the “old folks home.” I saw him there visiting people many times. I said, “Walt, do you have relatives here?” He said, “No, Billy.” I smiled and said, “I know you Walt, you’ve been helping people since I can remember.” He shook my hand firmly, and said, “Thank you, yes thank you.”
Well if there is any way the people of this county can think of a way to honor him, we must do it. From many and all of us, Walt…thank you.
William “Billy” Blackwell
Grand Portage
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