Waldemar Charles Zisch

CHELMSFORD - Waldemar Charles ("Charlie") Zisch, 81, beloved husband of Mary Margaret ("Peggy") (O'Connor) Zisch, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Lahey Clinic Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA. Born in Poland and raised in West Germany and Worcester, MA, he was a son of the late Karl and Anna (Wysocka) Zisch of L'viv, Ukraine.

After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he went on to further his education while he was in the Air Force, earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.

Charlie proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, retiring after 20 years of dedicated service. During his Air Force career, Charlie held many assignments from Missile Launch Officer, Launch Commander, Electronic Engineer, and Program Manager, and he was stationed all over the United States as well as Kwajalein Atoll, Spain, Japan, and Germany. He received many awards including the Meritorious Service Medal (two times) and the Air Force Commendation Medal (3 times). In addition, the government of Spain awarded Charlie the Grand Cross-White Decoration-Order of Aeronautical Merit, 1st Class for his work to complete the establishment of a radar system in northern Spain that allow the country to become a full member of NATO. Following his Air Force Retirement, Charlie went on to have a second phase of his career as a civilian and held many Program Manager positions working at defense contractors, including AVCO/Textron, ManTek Industries, and GenRad. Towards the later part of his work life, he returned to public service as a civilian working at the FAA and the Department of Defense, where he was assigned to oversee certain projects being developed by Raytheon Missiles and Defense.

Charlie valued his family above all else, and he considered his friends to be family. He enjoyed the simple things in life, like having family over for a good meal and good conversation, taking a walk in the woods or on a beach with his dog, watching/coaching/playing soccer/futball, going to Dunkins with the dog, or even just puttering around the yard, in which he took great pride as he had an amazing green thumb. In fact, he would spend as much time outside as he could--no matter the weather, and often could be found taking photos of his garden with some of his treasured camera collection. Although he adored his home, Charlie also enjoyed traveling around the US and the world, even after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and he fell in love with Ireland-both for the family there as well as for the lush natural beauty. He was also extremely thrilled to have traveled to Poland and to Germany, taking Peggy and Heidi to see places where he grew up and to meet his cousins.

He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his dear wife, Peggy, and his daughter, Heidi Zisch, of Chelmsford, MA; his lifelong and closest friend, Dick Donovan and his wife, Donna of North Reading, MA; his two sisters, Anna Binkiewicz of Tucson, AZ and Christine Royce of Elk Grove, CA; his cousin, Phyllis Bissonnette and her husband, Red, and their two sons, Steven Bissonnette, and David Bissonnette and his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Zoë, Michael and Sarah; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his faithful and much-beloved companion, Maizie. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his infant son, Waldemar C. Zisch, Jr..

Peggy and Heidi would like to extend their deep and abiding gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and physical therapists at the Lahey Clinic who cared for Charlie during his long battle with Parkinson's, enabling to have a great life for so many years as well as the many people at the Bedford, MA VA Hospital-Building 62A, who took such good care of Charlie since he moved into the VA in 2018. Their excellence, compassion, and kindness provided comfort not just to Charlie, but also to Peggy and Heidi.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with his family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at St. Mary's Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Burial will be held after Mass at St. John's Cemetery in Worcester, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, www.michaeljfox.org , or to the World Central Kitchen-Ukraine Fund at Ukraine.wck.org. Alternatively, in honor of Charlie, please consider planting a flower or tree or taking a walk to enjoy the beauty that nature has to offer.

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