Edwin Jacob Bierzychudek, 86, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, following a courageous fight with cancer. Even as the disease took its toll, he never gave voice to his pain — a quiet testament to his resilience and dignity -- "a tough old bird to the end." He passed peacefully with his niece, Bonnie, by his side.

Raised on a farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Edwin was deeply rooted in rural life, yet it was the pull of higher learning that shaped his path. Edwin started his post-school career at the Chrysler plant, and eventually saved enough money to study at the University of Wisconsin, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking and Finance. His next job was at Amoco Oil Company as an accountant for the foundation. Edwin ended his career working for the IRS as an accountant for 17 years.

Proceeding him in death was his life partner of 40+ years, Victor Russell. The two shared a home in their beloved neighborhood of Lincoln Park, Chicago.  Here they hosted a variety of holiday family gatherings, most memorably to The Nut Cracker, dinners at Ann Sathers, and gift exchanges in the living room. Edwin, or Uncle Ed as he is more affectionately known, and Uncle Buzz (as Victor was known) loved to travel the world, including Europe and Door County, attended Broadway plays, and shared  their copious amounts of pictures!

Ed is survived by his four nephews and nieces, Dominick (Betsy) Bierdek,  Douglas (Pamela) Bierzychudek, Anne (Rhett) Williamson, Bonnie (Brian) Anderson; as well as 11 great nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his life partner, Victor Russell, his brother, Mathew Bierzychudek, his sister, Dolores Goodwin, and his Polish parents, Jacob and Angeline Bierzychudek.

A visitation for Edwin will be held Thursday, June 26, from 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1010 West Webster Avenue, Chicago, IL.  A funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 11:00 am. A short time later, internment will be at St. James Cemetery in Kenosha, WI at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made to:

1. The Global Catholic Network, his favorite TV station, at GCN,

2, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Foundation.

For information please call 847-685-1002 or visit www.cooneyfuneralhome.com