1945: HEY, THERE'S A KUZMA!

Fleetwings? When was the last time you heard that name? They were located across the river in Bristol and many locals including my neighbor Gordy Soffel had a job there during WWII. Mike Kuzma, is this a relative? And Ralph Lucarella, you probably know all these players.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....YOU'RE RIGHT, I KNEW ALL THOSE PLAYERS AND I KNEW CHET WELL. I DIDN'T PLAY IN THE INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE CAUSE I WAS OUT OF WORK AT THE TIME AND IN 1945 I WAS IN THE NAVY. WHEN I GOT BACK I PLAYED WITH THE POST OFFICE TEAM. DURING THAT TIME MOST PLAYERS PLAYED IN ALL THE LEAGUES IN THE CITY WITH THE CJ LEAGUE BEING SEMI-PRO. REGARDS.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 THIS FROM MIKE KUZMA: Hi Tom: Yes, Chet was a cousin,and ironically, I learned not too very long ago, that his Dad Pete, who was famous in the Trenton area for his pigeon racing prowess was raised by my grandmother, and assumed the Kuzma name when very young. Like many immigrants in the late 1800's, orphans, or children who migrated to the USA merged with families known to thier parents in the old country. In all the years, we always considered them as cousins, and still do till this day. Chet of course was one of Trenton's many outstanding atletes, but an equally nice guy. I never hesitated to brag about him. As an aside, back in the early 40's, there was an all American Michigan State Football player named Tom Kuzma who hailed from Gart Indiana. You can imagine my bragging about cousin Chet, and wow "Cousin Tom" the All American. In the late 1990's, while visiting Florida, I checked the phone book for "Kuzma's", found a Tom Kuzma, and was shocked to find out he lived in the same complex. Called his number, and met with his wife, who advised me that Tom had passed away a few weeks before my phone call. Mrs. Kuzma was kind enough to gather up some family papers, an send them to me. How shocked I was to learn, that this Kuzma clan came from the same area as us Kuzma's. More shocking though, I learned that Toms' dad had the same first name as my dad, and his mother had the same sur name as my mother!!!. You and your columns, have added so much to the history which we all seek. Thanks for the effort. Sincerely Mike Kuzma