Joseph "Russ" Russel Sliwinski

Joseph Russel (Russ) Sliwinski departed this earth on August 24, 2024 at age 74. Russ was born on December 7th, 1949 to Joseph John and Vera Jean Sliwinski in Toledo, Ohio. The oldest boy of 9 children, Russ had many fun memories of growing up on the family farm and causing mischief in his adolescence everywhere he went. In his youth, he worked at Joseph’s Supermarket where he ran the produce department and picked out the best strawberries for the cute cashier who soon after became his bride.  Russ married Norma (Zdawczyk) Sliwinski on June 8th, 1974; celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary just months before his passing.

After Joseph’s Supermarket, Russ worked at Therma-Tru and eventually spent the majority of his career as an operator of a jet fuel unit at BP Oil Refinery.  Known for his hardworking attitude, there wasn’t a home remodeling project too big to take on. The only thing stronger than his work ethic, was his stubborn, pure determination.

Soon after their marriage, Russ and Norma welcomed two daughters to their family, Mary Rose and Kathryn Ann.  He loved being a Father to his girls, and often joked about his daughters having him wrapped around their pinky fingers. Without a doubt, the only thing he loved more than his wife and daughters, were his grandchildren: Lily and Oliver. There was not a thing that Papa would not do, make, or fix for them. One rule prevailed: no timeouts or spankings at Papa‘s house.

During his downtime, Russ was an avid outdoorsman and spent made many treasured memories fishing and hunting with his family. True to his Polish roots, Russ lived by the motto family first. He took his role as father, provider, grandfather, son, and brother with the utmost responsibility.

Russ was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2020 and wrestled with a long and frustrating decline at the end of his life. Sadly, it prevented him from achieving his dream of having a place on the water for his family to enjoy with him in retirement. While this horrible disease took his mind, memories, physical health and dignity; it cannot take the loving memory his wife, daughters and grandchildren have of him being the best Daddy and Papa in the world.

Russ was preceded in death by his father and namesake, Joseph Sliwinski, his brother Scot Sliwinski and his granddaughter Frances Mundrick. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Norma, eldest and smartest daughter, Mary Sliwinski, youngest and favorite daughter, Katie (Matt) Sliwinski-Mundrick, grandchildren, Lillian Straub, Oliver Saenz, mother Vera Jean Sliwinski, mother and father-in-law Jerome and Patricia Zdawczyk, siblings Dorthy (Lou) Fowler, Howard (Debbie) Sliwinski, Peach (Gary) Butler, Bill (Sandra) Sliwinski, Julie (Tim) Eighmey, Bob (Deb) Sliwinski, Jim Sliwinski, brother-in-law Michael Wade, sisters-in-law Linda (Robert) Heinemann, Vickie (Keith) Pasqualone and more nieces, nephews, and cousins than one can count.

Although Russ lost so much at the end, he always kept his sharp sense of humor, strong will, and love of his family even when his words evaded him.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Genoa Retirement Village for the sincere care and compassion they showed Russ during the last few months of his life.

Family and friends may visit the Freck Funeral Chapel , 1155 S. Wynn Rd in Oregon on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral chapel on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.