Obituary of Edward W. Szulecki

Edward W. Szulecki,Sr. 95, of Manalapan Township, husband to Barbara, also a great father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died Thursday, January 12, 2012. Born in Perth Amboy, he attended St. Stephen’s Parochial School. He learned his trade as a carpenter from his father – in the early days sawing lumber by hand over the entirety of the workday. During the depression, as a teenager, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp to help his father support the family. In 1939 he joined the Army and served in Panama and later San Francisco where he was stationed when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was shipped to Hawaii within two weeks where he served out WWII as a radio operator and member of a “crash boat” that would deploy in the Pacific theatre to rescue or recover downed pilots and crew. After being discharged in 1945, he dabbled in the performing arts and appeared in a few theatrical plays using the stage name, “Eddie Anders”. By 1960, he was ready to settle down and start a family; working as a carpenter and general contractor into his mid-80’s. He was still climbing onto rooftops and acting like a kid with his great-grandchild into his 90’s. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Valentina; two brothers, Rev. Raymond Szulecki and Leon Szulecki; and four sisters, Lucille Greene, Regina Abramowicz, Mary Shallo, and Joan Donatiello. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; three sons, Edward Jr. of Jackson; Gregory and daughter-in-law, Kim of Cream Ridge; and Stephen of Highlands; three grandchildren, Laura, Christopher, and Daniel; one great-grandchild, Natalia; and former daughter-in-law, Tanya Orell. He is also survived by his sister, Claire Walkoczy of Iselin. Relatives and friends may call at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold, on Sunday from 2:00-6:00 P.M. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Saint Stephen’s Church, 490 State Street, Perth Amboy on Monday at 10:00 A.M. Memorial donations can be made to Sol Amor Hospice, 1415 Hooper Avenue, Suite 203, Toms River, NJ 08753.