Edward M. Chorzempa worked at Jacob Finkelstein & Sons from 1939 until 1942, when he enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces at the age of 21. At the firm, he worked multiple jobs; cutter, sewing machine operator, and canvas worker, focusing most of his efforts in the cutting room. By all accounts, he was a most popular young man; handsome, bright and extremely athletic. Eddie was born in 1921, graduated high school in in 1938 and joined the Armed Forces on July 11, 1942. He was a close friend to partner Elliot Finkelstein, and was said to have been one of the finest athletes ever to graduate from Blackstone High School…a letterman in numerous sports, and a noted amateur athlete in swimming, baseball, basketball and track. Those who knew him described a strapping fellow with a winning smile and a terrific toughness. Eddie’s mom, Caroline, (to his left in the above photo) and his sister, Eldgia, (to his right above) also worked at Finkelstein’s, as would his niece Carol, two decades later. Like so many employees from that era, the Chorzempa’s relationship with Jacob Finkelstein’s & Sons was a multi-generational, family affair. His mom Caroline had worked with Founder Jacob Finkelstein, and his sister Eldgia was a close, life-long friend to Jacob’s four sons. His niece Carol is a friend and a contemporary of Richard Finkelstein, who was the company’s third generation owner.
Tragically, Edward never returned to Finkelstein’s after the War. He survived his jump on D-Day, but did not survive "Market-Garden", a subsequent military pincher-operation during which he and his fellow 101st paratroopers were dropped deep inside German controlled territory. It was September 23, 1944 when Eddie gave his life for his country.
Eddie’s badges, ribbons, medals and awards tell the story of a magnificent warrior. ‘Parachute Badge with Arrowhead and 2 Stars’; ‘Combat Infantry Badge’; ‘Bronze Star’; ‘Purple heart with Oak Leaf Cluster’; ‘Good Conduct Medal’; ‘American and European Campaign Medals’; ‘World War II Victory Medal’; and ‘French Fourragere in Colors of French Croix de Guerre’.
In honor of their fallen friend and co-worker, the firm’s principals constructed a living memorial to Edward – a beautiful, modern new ball park, on-site, at Jacob Finkelstein’s. The facility, Chorzempa Field, was built on company grounds, in clear view as one looked out the West-facing factory windows. It was not to be a facility just for company employees however. To honor Eddie, its intent was defined more expansively than that, for the partners placed the field “at the disposal of all who wished to use it, particularly the youngsters of the community”. Additionally, use of the field was granted to the City of Woonsocket for all appropriate sporting activities, including Softball and ‘City Industrial League’ play. Because Eddie did not make it home, his family, close friends and co-workers, were reportedly overwhelmed with sadness. But Eddie Chorzempa’s name was proudly displayed at his ballpark, and the local hero was never forgotten.
At the facility’s dedication ceremony in June of 1945, the field was described as follows;
“…a fast field, slick as silk, and up to the highest standards of Class A league play. Over 700 people attended the dedication ceremonies…The field is now well-known in softball circles throughout the area….one of the finest softball fields ever…Its name is ‘Chorzempa Memorial Field.’”
Submitted by Richard Finkelstein