Obituary of Charles J Geleski

Charles J. Geleski, 96, of Sarasota, FL and Lynn, died October 30 in Sarasota, Florida following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Natalie (Amanti) Geleski. Born in Denblin, Poland, on April 30, 1919 he was the son of the late Jan and Helena Dziegielewski. His family lived on a large farm a half mile from the Russian Border. In 1938, at age 19, Charles entered the Polish Air Force Academy, which was founded in 1925, for training to become a pilot. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and Charles and his fellow cadets took off for safety in order to disperse the planes away from the German attack. He left Poland to continue his training as a pilot and to continue his training to fight the Germans. On September 17, 1939, Russia invaded Eastern Poland, which Charles and his cadets had flown to avoid capture from the Germans. They avoided capture from the Russian Tanks and arrived in Hungary. From their, they traveled though Croatia and Serbia, and arrived in Salonika, Greece where they boarded a Greek ship and finally arrived in France in December of 1939. He was reunited with his brother Antoni in Lyon, France. In May of 1940, Germany invaded France which forced the Polish contingent to flee the small harbor town of Saint Jean de Luz which was close to the Spanish border. They boarded a British passenger liner, the Arandora Star and took them along with a number of French Air Force Cadets to Liverpool, England. After additional training in England, Charles and his crew joined the 304 Polish bomber squadron and fulfilled his pledge of fighting back the Germans, He flew 18 night time bombing sorties over German targets, including a massive 1000 bomber raid over Cologne, Germany. The 304 was later transferred to Coastal Command helping the British Navy in their “Battle of the Atlantic” and flew 500 hours of anti-submarine patrols After the war, Charles remained in England until 1950 when he came to the United States and joined the management staff of Sylvania Electric. After fulfilling numerous managerial assignments at various locations; he retired in 1983 after 33 years of service. Luck was still working when he met the woman he was to be married to for 53 years, Natalie Amanti Geleski. They lived happily together in Lynn, MA and Sarasota, Fl. Sadly, Natalie passed away in September 2014. Charles was a life member of the Lynnfield Lions Club International, and a member of the Melvin Jones Foundation. He was a Roman Catholic and a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Lynnfield and Our Lady of Queen of Martyrs, Sarasota, FL. Charles is survived by his niece, Krystyna Roberts of Tavistock, England, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins in this country, and Poland and England. He also leaves a brother and sisters-in-law, Anthony and Norma Amanti of Westfield, MA and Palm City, FL, John and Mary Amanti of Salem and Sarasota, FL, Grace Pietrogallo of Westfield, MA and Sarasota, FL, and Vincent and Mary Ann Amanti of Falmouth and Estero, FL. He also leaves 3 special Godchildren, Susan Pietrogallo Haggett, Nancy Amanti Williams and Maurice Maultz. He was predeceased by his brother Antonio who was shot down in May of 1943 while on a night “intruder” mission over France. For his combat service, Charles was awarded the Polish Order of Virtuti Militari and other Polish and British Decorations. Charles Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 12:00 PM at Our Lady of Assumption Church, Lynnfield to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to either Tidewell Hospice, 5957 Rand Road, Sarasota, FL 34238, or Our Lady of Assumption Church, Grove St., Lynnfield, of Lynnfield Lions Club.