100th birthday parade for World War II veteran canceled

For weeks, Gene Fordonski of New Lenox has worked hard to give his cousin Norbert “Mr. Zee” Zielinski of Joliet the appreciation Fordonski felt was due him.

So for Zielinksi’s 100th birthday, Fordonski had arranged a vehicle parade for Zielinski, a World War II veteran, at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Cars were to line up at Cantigny Post 367 VFW in Joliet and then drive past Zielinski’s house.

Not only was the community invited, Fordonski had contacted a variety of organizations to be a part of the celebration, too.

But then Zielinski became ill earlier this week and had to be hospitalized. Fordonksi is heartbroken at having to cancel the parade and doubts it will be rescheduled. He thinks that’s an enormouis shame, considering Zielinski’s patriotic spirit and his overall integrity.

Fordonski said Zielinksi had even postponed his marriage to his wife Rose (deceased) until after his military service. Zielinski was drated on Dec. 8, 1942. Fordonski said Zielinski served with General George Patton’s nineth division in North Africa and the Allied invasion of Sicily. Zielinksi even drove Patton in the Sicily victory parde, Fordonski said.

Zielinski was honorably discharged on Dec. 12, 1944.

But if for some reason “something had happened to him while he was serving,” Zielinski “didn’t want to put her [Rose] through that,” Fordonski said. So Zielinski waited to marry Rose until he returned home, Fordonksi said.

Fordonski said he wholeheartedly agrees with people who called those who served in World War II “the greatest generation.”

“They are the best,” Fordonksi said.

Zielinski once owned Mr. Zee’s Music Shop on Cass Street for 18 years in the 1960s and 1970s. Zielinski’s Mr. Zee band played many weddings and other events.

Fordonksi said that, in additoin to belonging to Cantigny Post, Zielinksi also belonged to the Lions Club, the Rivals Club and several Moose clubs.