Momentum Building for Naming a School for Fred Kalisz [OPINION]
The sudden death of former Mayor Fred Kalisz has galvanized the city of New Bedford and beyond. Everyone is in agreement that his name and legacy must live on in some form.
Mayor Jon Mitchell described Fred Kalisz as an urban mechanic in the best sense of the title. He was elected by his neighbors to represent Ward 2 and he flourished in that position. He mastered the legislative process and he earned his way into being elected mayor. While he was mayor, he built three schools using his skills as a politician who understood process and procedure.
Before his term, he was city councilor for Ward 2 and worked for Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program in toxics reduction. After leaving office, he led the Parents Alliance for Catholic Education, earned degrees in law and public policy, guest lectured at local universities, volunteered at the city s Polish church and took on the role of register of deeds for Bristol County s southern district in 2017.
His brother, Michael Kalisz, shared the news in a Facebook post that brought hundreds of comments in just a few hours, many of which recalled personal memories with the former mayor. Fred was just such a remarkable man, a remarkable brother, a caring son, a loving husband and father, said Michael Kalisz, 57. He was always there whatever the need and tried to do whatever he could for whoever it was. It feels so unfair he was taken away before we could enjoy more time together.
Former New Bedford Mayor Fred Kalisz Passes Away
NEW BEDFORD Former New Bedford Mayor and current Southern Bristol County Register of Deeds Dr. Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. has passed away due to complications with COVID-19.
Kalisz’s brother Michael Kalisz posted the news on Facebook just before 8 a.m. that the former mayor had died this morning. He was 63 years old.
Fred Kalisz was sworn into office on January 5, 1998, and served eight years as mayor before he was defeated by Scott W. Lang. Prior to his time as mayor, Kalisz served eight years on the New Bedford City Council, including serving as council president. He had also served almost four and a half years as program manager for the Buzzards Bay Project.