April 8, 1946 – May 31, 2014
U.S. Veteran
CDR USN (Retired), age 68 years of Omaha.
Preceded in death by parents Joseph J. and Antoinette M. Wasikowski
Survived by wife Teresa H. Wasikowski
sons Joseph and wife Lisa Wasikowski – Seattle, WA
Michael Wasikowski – Lawrence, KS
granddaughter Helena Rose
brother (Reverend) Ron Wasikowski – Bellevue, NE
uncle Raymond Swiercek and wife Molly – Omaha, NE
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law
many nieces, nephews, and cousins
Visitation begins Thursday, June 5th, at 5:00 p.m. with Vigil Service 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, June 6th, 11:00 a.m. at St. Gerald Catholic Church (96th and Q Streets). Future interment will take place at the VA Cemetery in Sarpy County. Memorials requested to Northwest Center in Seattle, WA, the Siena/Francis House of Omaha, or the DAV of Omaha.
Dear Brothers,
It is with a sad heart that I must inform you of the passing of Commander Larry Wasikowski, USN (Retired). I was informed by his widow, Terry, that Larry passed away, suddenly and quite unexpectedly, at is home in Omaha, NE, on May 31, 2014. A memorial service was held on June 6, 2014. However, Larry was not interned at that time. A new Veterans’ Cemetery is being planned for Omaha and Larry had, earlier, expressed and interest in making that his final resting place. Thus, Larry will be interned, there, when the cemetery is opened. This could be in a year or more.
Larry was a plank owner in the Swift Boat Sailors Association and a wonderful friend to all of us. He was instrumental in creating and maintaining the data bank that listed all of the Swift Boats and their crews. He also maintained a list of those of us who have accepted their final assignments since returning from Viet Nam. Both of these list are extremely valuable resources and are used often.
As a hobby, Larry had done extensive research in the individual histories of those that served on Swift Boats. He had compiled valuable statics on the careers of the Swifties including the number of us who had achieved flag rank, those that became mustangs, and those that achieved senior enlisted ranks. Additionally, he kept records of the civilian achievements of Swift Boat Sailors. Larry had hoped to use this information to create a book noting that the Swift Boat Sailor did not meet the normal demographics of the Viet Nam vet. For a small group, we had numerous achievements. As Larry and I would agree, “We cleaned up pretty good.”
Please keep Larry’s family in your prayers. I know Terry would appreciate them. We will truly miss Larry.
Very Respectfully,
Jim Thomas