Waldemar "Curly" Czaban

Waldemar “Curly” Czaban Obituary

Waldemar Romuald Czaban, the patriarch of the family passed from this life on November 13, 2024, at 99 years of age. He was born in Detroit, MI to Polish immigrants who had settled in a Polish community in Hamtramck, MI. Curly, as he was known, spoke only Polish when he started school, but he soon became acclimated and did well in his studies. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Bolivar during WWII.

After the war he and his parents moved to the Los Angeles area and Curly attended Pasadena City College before graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Transportation. He spent his professional life working for Purex Industries and later for Armour-Dial until his retirement in 1995.

A proud veteran and member of the “Greatest Generation,” he continued his military service by being commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve and retired in 1973 as a Major.

In 1948 he and Rosemary Mankiewicz married in Los Angeles and raised four children-Donna, Jerry, Kathy and Chris. Rosemary predeceased him in 1997. After the passing of his first wife, he married Lola Mayda in 2001. She predeceased him in 2022.

Curly, or “Tatus” as he was known to his family and loved ones, is survived by his children Donna, Jerry, Kathy and Chris, his grandchildren Christy, Bart Jr., Dayna, Tucker, Krysia, and Jonathan, Great Grandchildren Jude, Bryce, Zachary, Alexander, Jasmine, Kanesha, Oliver, Noah, Colin, Max, Leo and Ira, and Great Great Grandchildren Michael and Olivia.

Curly will be interred at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego with his first wife Rosemary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to a Veteran’s Support Group.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401