He spent career with Boy Scouts
Aloysius C. Wisniewski ~ 1923-2008
Aloysius C. Wisniewski was a career Scout, who spent years working behind the scenes on the national staff of Boy Scouts of America.
From a job he eagerly took in the Chicago warehouse after coming back from World War II, he rose through the ranks to become the director of the Supply Division's Midwest distribution center, providing supplies to 81 Boy Scout councils in 13 states.
The Melrose Park center stocked everything from all of the Boy Scout literature, to uniforms, pins, badges and camping and outdoor gear.
"He loved the Scouting organization and he loved working for them," says his wife, Edna.
Mr. Wisniewski, a 37-year Schaumburg resident, passed away March 18. He was 84.
Mr. Wisniewski progressed beyond the warehouse, becoming a sales representative and traveling across the country to persuade major department stores to carry the Boy Scout line.
During those years, he also ran the "trading post" or gift shop at Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts' premiere high adventure ranch located in the mountains near Cimarron, N.M.
As head of the trading post, Mr. Wisniewski and his family spent summers at the ranch, working with the staff.
"Those were wonderful summers," his wife says. "The scenery was breathtaking, and at night, we'd sit around the campfire with other staff members, and tell stories and sing songs.
"The ranch had a buffalo herd," Mrs. Wisniewski added, "and we even got to eat buffalo steak once in a while. It was a real adventure."
Later, when Mr. Wisniewski moved into administration of the supply division and didn't travel as much, he started a Boy Scout troop in Schaumburg, which included his younger son, Mark as a member. The troop met in his home.
He retired from the Boy Scouts in 1988, when the national staff moved the supply division to Charlotte, N. C.
Mr. Wisniewski also served as a precinct captain and worked with former Schaumburg Township Republican Committeeman Don Totten.
Besides his wife, Mr. Wisniewski is survived by his four children, including his daughter Ellen (Enrique) Sanchez, and son Ralph, of San Diego; another daughter Lois of Elmhurst, and son Mark (Samantha) of Lake in the Hills, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Services have been held.