Fred Bozek, who donated the funds to purchase a gazebo at Stanley Park to remember his wife of more than 50 years, is seen holding his wedding party photo.
by LORI SZEPELAK
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – For years, visiting Stanley Park on Sundays was a ritual for Fred and Roseann Bozek.
“We always had a picnic on Sundays, walked around to see the flowers, and then listen to the evening show,” said Fred Bozek.
As Bozek teared up recalling those days, he added, “She loved this place and she loved the flowers.”
When Roseann Bozek succumbed to thyroid cancer in 2007, Fred Bozek’s heart was broken.
“Roseann went through radiation and chemotherapy, and we made many visits to Boston,” he said. “When we were told there was no light at the end of the tunnel, Roseann made the decision to have hospice.”
Bozek explained that their romance started when they were high school sweethearts at Chicopee High School.
“We went to all of the school dances together, graduated in 1953, and were married in 1956,” he said.
As the years passed, Fred Bozek ran Fred’s Market on West Street in Chicopee, and Roseann left her job as a hairdresser to join him as the financial wiz of the business.
The couple eventually left Chicopee and built a home in West Springfield.
Fred Bozek donated the funds to purchase a gazebo at Stanley Park to remember his wife of more than 50 years, Roseann Bozek, who passed away in 2007.
“I used to work 100 hours a week and never took a day off,” Bozek said, adding that in his 32-year entrepreneurial career he was only out sick one day and a half.
“God has been with me,” he said, adding that attending church was an important part of their lives.
“The last time we were in church Roseann said she felt weak and collapsed against me,” he said.
After Bozek lost his wife, he felt compelled to find a way to say to the world how much he loved her.
“I know that part of Roseann is here at Stanley Park so I knew the Rose Garden would be a perfect place to remember her,” he said.
After speaking with administrative officials at the park, Bozek decided a gazebo with a plaque would be a perfect lasting gift to remember Roseann.
Amongst the annual and perennial gardens, and of course, the All-America Rose Selections, a white gazebo stands with a plaque that reads: “In Memory of Roseann C. Bozek. To Love and Be Loved is the Greatest Feeling in the World.”
Bozek notes that whenever he stops by the rose garden, he feels Roseann’s presence.
“You have to have faith,” he said. “I know we’ll be together again.”
Bozek shared a poem during the interview titled “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me” that he said he keeps close to his heart. “She always kept that poem on her bureau and it truly speaks to me,” he said.
Robert McKean, managing director of the park, noted that Bozek’s gift is a perfect example of how area residents can pay it forward by recognizing those who have touched their lives.
“From my perspective it is a win-win for all parties,” said McKean. “Gifts to the park allow our patrons to pay honor, respect and remembrance to a loved one for generations to come. Also, it gives them a location to come to pause and reflect a time or a lifetime with the honored person.”
McKean added that Stanley Park is fortunate to have a large family of patrons who have supported the private nonprofit for 66 years.
“We celebrate Founders Day on Aug. 16 to recognize the legacy of Frank Stanley Beveridge and Stanley Home Products,” said McKean. “We do depend on donations in order to keep the park operational and donations allow us to pay it forward.”
There are a myriad of ways to give back to Stanley Park which includes becoming a Partners in Preservation sponsor, adopting a bench, participating in the annual appeal, or buying a memorial brick at the Veterans’ Memorial.
For Bozek, it is comforting to know that his wife has a lasting memorial in her honor.
“We had a wonderful time working together and then traveling after we retired until she got sick,” he said.
“Her last words to me were ‘I’ll be waiting for you’,” he said.
Until that time, for Bozek, going strong at age 80, his visits to the gazebo at Stanley Park are filled with the utmost love for his wife. He also relishes the chance to share their love story with others who take a moment to pause by the gazebo and read the endearing plaque that is so heartfelt.
For more information on Stanley Park, visit www.stanleypark.org. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk through the last Sunday in November. There is no admission charge to the park.
For persons interested in the Partners in Preservation program or other giving opportunities, McKean can be reached at (413) 568-9312, ext. 102, or Christina Hockenberry at (413) 568-9312, ext. 111.
