Paul Orszulak

Paul Orszulak
Posted on 08/29/2019
Paul Orszulak

I graduated from Ware High School in 1955 without immediate plans to go to college.  I worked in a factory in town for one year then I enrolled at Worcester Junior College graduating cum laude with an associate’s degree in Accounting.  I worked for another year and received two scholarships which helped me afford the opportunity to finish my undergrad work at American International College in 1961.  I then began a 2 year military commitment to the US Army serving in New York and Korea.  Upon completing my tour of duty I began teaching Business at Ware High School in 1963.

Within two years I was named Business Department Chairman, Boys JV Basketball Coach as well as Athletic Director.  I served as Athletic Director for 30 years.  I was elected President of the Western Mass Athletic Director’s Association in the 70s.  At that time all of the schools regardless of size would compete in one tournament at the conclusion of each athletic season.  I proposed that schools should be grouped by size to enable each school to compete against schools their size for the playoffs.  This led to the creation of divisions for tournament play.  I was considered to be the voice of the smaller schools. After serving on the executive board for several years, I was elected as President of the Massachusetts Athletic Director’s Association in 1980.  I was the first AD from a small school elected to that position.  I was named a member of the inaugural class of the Ware High School Athletic Hall of Fame.  Serving on these committees meant a lot of meetings at night and time away from home and was only possible because my wife Colleen was at home taking care of our kids.

I taught business at Ware High School for 35 years retiring in 1998.  After retiring I served as a substitute teacher, an MCAS test proctor and ticket seller at various sporting events for Ware High School.  I am proud to say that I was in continuous service to Ware High School for 48 years.  I have always thought it was important to give back to the community that has been so good to me over the years.  I continue to volunteer in my community hosting Red Cross Blood Drives, making Polish food at St. Mary’s Church, and helping protect senior citizens through the TRIAD Council.

Education has always been an important part of my life.  My wife was also a teacher retiring after teaching English for 25 years in Ware.  I am very proud to say that all of our children (Dan, Christine, Stephen and Michael) followed our lead and are teachers. 

My most important and rewarding job in retirement has been caring for our seven grandchildren while their parents are at school.  Although my wife does most of the work we have enjoyed being a big part of their lives, seeing first steps, teaching them to read and write and caring for them every day between August and June for the past 20 years