Douglas “Beans” Lawrence Adamczyk, age 75 of Hilliards, died Monday, June 19.
“Dougie” was known as the Mayor of Hilliards and was loved by many people in the community, which was a great joy in his life. He will be fondly remembered for his constant smile, love for music, and passion for the Lone Ranger.
There were many posts on Facebook in reaction to the news of his passing.
Renee Kerley-Pitcher commented, “Dougie was a very special child of God and the first person I knew who was ‘different.’ I grew up three houses down from the Adamczyks. There were a lot of derogatory terms in use back then to describe someone like him and I am grateful they’re fallen out of favor.
“I came to realize at a pretty young age that Dougie was not ‘disabled,’ he was differently abled. His memory was incredible; he remembered details about my childhood that I had forgotten long ago. He will be missed but we were so lucky to have had the chance to know him.”
Lance Pogodzinski posted, “Beans was my neighbor for 20+ years and around me my entire life. Not just myself, but my kids as well, were taught quite a bit by Doug. By being around him and his family. He would call me a dink and all my kids would laugh.”
Another post was, “Today our hearts are heavy with the passing of our Uncle Dougie “Beans” Adamczyk, The Mayor of Hilliards, The Life and Joy of every party he’s ever been to! His giggle, laugh, banter, fart noises and expert horn playing will be forever missed!”
He was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen Adamczyk.
Douglas is survived by his father, Richard Adamczyk; siblings Michael (Vickie) Adamczyk, Patrick “Fuzzy” (Cheryl) Adamczyk, Steve (Cathy) Adamczyk, Jack Adamczyk, Brian (Patricia) Adamczyk; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.
Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, at St. Stanislaus Church, 1871 136th Ave., Dorr, with Father Christopher Derda as celebrant. Interment will be at St. Stanislaus Church Cemetery.
In honor of Douglas, contributions may be made to The Arc of Allegan County.
Go rest with the God, your work here is done.
Doug has been a fixture in Hilliards my whole life. It says a lot about a community that Doug could thrive and was accepted by all. Rest in peace Doug.
Always wore a beautiful smile and positive attitude. Always made his friends smile and laugh! The world needs more angels like him!