Albert C. Walkowiak, 72, of Lombard, a drummer for polka bands in the Chicago area, died of lung cancer Saturday, Jan. 4, in Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Mr. Walkowiak, the son of Polish immigrants, was raised in Chicago with three brothers and five sisters and graduated from Lindblom High School. After high school, he worked in a shoe store where he met his wife, Loretta. The couple married in 1950 and Mr. Walkowiak had several jobs, including driving a truck for United Parcel Service and being a warehouse manager in Franklin Park. The family moved to Lombard 20 years ago. A constant passion in his life was music, his wife said. Mr. Walkowiak, a longtime accordion player, acquired a set of drums when the drummer of the band he played in quit in 1951. “I told him to listen to a few records and to just give it a try,” his wife said. From then on, Mr. Walkowiak became known as a proficient drummer. He played and recorded with the Li’l Richard Polka Band in the 1960s and the Casey Sierwierski Band and Polka Masters, his family said. He retired from music a few years ago but, his wife said, “all of a sudden he wanted to play again,” and he played in Frank Berendt’s Band for the last two years. “He loved it. He was a very personable person, and all the women loved him. He had a lot of charisma,” his wife said. Other survivors include three daughters, Karen Barthel, Sharon Miraldi and Alana Walters; two sons, Darrell and Mitchell; two sisters, Florence Martinez and Dorothy; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday in Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Rd., Lombard. Services will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home and mass will be said at 10 a.m. in St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1025 E. Madison St., Lombard.
