Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ralph R. Golubski

Sept. 8, 1925 - Aug. 15, 2002

South Bend Tribune 8/17/2002

Ralph Golubski, 76, died peacefully on Thursday morning, August 15, in Memorial Hospital after a long 5 year illness. He was born on September 8, 1925, in South Bend to Anthony and Hattie Golubski. He lived in South Bend all his life. Ralph was a remarkable person. In 1943, when all his 21 year old buddies were going into the service, he joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served for 30 months in the South Pacific. He served in the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa campaigns. He was discharged at the tender age of 20, serving in the Marines the entire time without a furlough. Upon his return to civilian life he started to work at Studebaker and played fast pitch softball for the next ten years. He was an excellent softball player and played on many championship teams. On October 21, 1950, he married Joan Trzeina in Saint Adalberts Church in South Bend. Their marriage was blessed with three wonderful children; Karen (Chuck) Kovach, Michael (Rhonda) Golubski and Kathleen (Greg) Helmen. Ralph is also survived by his wife, Joan and five beautiful grandchildren, Nicholas and Eric Kovach, and Alison, Alex, and Alana Golubski.

Ralph graduated from Central High School upon return from the service and at the age of 30 started working in the construction industry as a Cement Mason, retiring at the age of 65. He worked on dozens of projects in the Michiana area. Ralph loved to fish. He always fished the lakes in Michigan. Even when the guys told him the fish were not biting, he could go out in his little green boat and catch his limit of bluegills. He loved his lake cottage in Michigan and spent most of the summer months camping and fishing there. After World War II he joined several service organizations. He was a member of VFW Post 8748, American Legion Post 357, and also the Knights of Columbus Archbishop John Carroll Council 5570.