USSVI Thresher Base News June 2008 Michael C
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USSVI Thresher Base News June 2008 Michael C. Geletka on Eternal Patrol Michael C. he earned his degree at Boston Uni- thy, and Abbey; Geletka, 87, of versity. He became a Snap-On Tool two great- Sanford Road Dealer for 20 years before retiring for grandchildren; Wells, died the second time. and many nieces Saturday, May Michael was a member and busy and nephews. 10 at Gosnell with the Ocean Lodge of Masons, Visitation was Memorial Scottish Rites, and Kora Shrine. He held on Tues- Hospice House was the Memorabilia Director for the day, May 13 in Scarborough US Submarine Veterans, WW II and from 6-8 p.m. at following a attended the International Submarine Bibber Memo- long battle Association Conventions. He also en- rial Chapel, 111 with cancer. joyed hunting and cutting and stack- Chapel Road, Wells. A Masonic Ser- Michael was born Jan. 8, 1921 in ing firewood. vice was held at 7:30 p.m. in Michael’s Cleveland, Ohio a son of John and Michael was predeceased by his honor. Arrangements were in care of Mary (Matis) Geletka. He joined the brother and two sisters. He is survived Bibber Memorial Chapel. www.bib- United States Navy in 1937 serving by his loving wife of nearly 68 years, berfuneral.com on submarines during WW II and Phyllis; son, Richard C. Geletka and In lieu of flowers, memorial dona- the remainder of his 21 years in the his wife Gayle of Wells, his daughter, tions may be made to Ocean Lodge Navy. On July 20, 1940 he married Charlotte Lee Brown and her husband #142, P.O. Box 142, Wells, ME his sweetheart, Phyllis Montgomery. Michael of Norcross, Ga; four grand- 04090-0142 After retiring from the Navy in 1957, children, R. Kurtiss, Kara Lee, Timo- 45th USS Thresher Memorial Service The 45th anniversary memorial of family. Following her speech, Lori The welcoming address was given by service of the loss of the USS Thresher performed the Navy Hymn. Captain Robert Mazzone, Command- was held on April 12, 2008. This year’s This set the stage for the somber er, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. His service was held in Kittery at the R.W. Tolling of the Bells for the 129 men welcoming statement was followed by Traip Academy. To mark this 45th who lost their lives on April 9, 1963. three guest speakers. The first speaker anniversary, a number of new aspects While Kevin Galeaz, USSVI Thresher was William Olsen, former crew were added along with the inclusion Base and John Cook, former crew member, who shared his thoughts on of family members and former crew in how the tragedy impacted him. He the ceremony. was followed by Rear Admiral Kevin M. McCoy, Chief Engi- Table of Contents neer, Naval Systems Mike Geletka ......................................... 1 Engineering Director- 45th Memorial Service ....................... 1 ate, Naval Sea Systems To Perpetuate the Memory ............. 3 Command. May Meeting Minutes ....................... 4 The final speaker Memorial Day ....................................... 4 was Lori Arse- Lobster Bake .......................................... 5 nault, daughter of USSVI Conventions ..........Back Page ENCA(SS) Tilmon Next Meeting .......................Back Page Arsenault, who spoke about the importance Page Base and USSVI News 45th USS Thresher Memorial Service (continued from page 1) member, read the names and David of EM2(SS) Richard William Harvey, former crew member, tolled Jones had the opportunity to the bell, the melodic sounds of a release the wreath off the ship- bagpipe, played yard bridge while by Patrick Boyle, his wife released could be heard in the rose petals the distance. collected from After Chap- the female family lain Lt Robert members. The D. Johnson’s rose petals added Benediction, the a dramatic effect service contin- as they floated down the ued down at river with the wreath. the waterfront. Piper Boyle concluded As those in at- the ceremony with the tendance made Navy Hymn. their way to the waterfront, long- stemmed red roses were passed out to all female family and wives. Each person was asked to place a single rose petal in a basket, so they could be released into the water with the wreath. At the water’s edge, Lt. John- son led us in a prayer which was followed by a gun salute from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Rifle Team. While the wreath was being prepared, Mr. Jay Daly played taps. Mr. Mark Gauthier, nephew Billy Gagner, a 6th grader at Nobel VI, Berwick, ME, seen here with his father Russell Gagner, won a state-wide award for his Maine His- tory Project on the USS Thresher. He contacted Thresher Base and asked if he could set up his display at the 45th Memorial Service. His display was well received by all who The most recent graduating class from Sub School, Groton , Ct attended. Billy will was named after the Thresher and they travelled to Kittery, Me be attending the National History Day Competition at the to attend the service. University of Maryland from June 15 to 19. Page To Perpetuate the Memory Ellwood Henry Forni was born on serving in Sennett that Ellwood became U.S.S. Tullibee (SSN 597), where he October 28, 1928, in Baltimore, Md. He qualified as a submariner and received received a letter of commendation from attended local public schools there, and his silver dolphins. He then attended the commander, Submarine Force, enlisted in the Navy the Navy’s Fleet Sonar U.S. Atlantic Fleet, for his outstand- on May 21, 1948. School at Key West, ing assistance and performance of duty During his recruit Fla., and after gradua- during the “inservice trials” of the U.S.S. training at the U.S. tion, he was assigned to Tullibee. Naval Training the U.S.S. Sea Cat (SS He had also earned the Navy’s Good Center, Great Lakes, 399). Conduct Medal with four stars; Na- Ill., he volunteered Service in the sub- tional Defense Service Medal, a letter of for submarine duty marines U.S.S. Quill- commendation from the commanding and reported to the back (SS 424), U.S.S. officer of the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593) Submarine School at Guavina (SS 362) and and a letter of commendation from the the U.S. Naval Sub- U.S.S. Sea Poacher (SS commander, Submarine Force, U.S. marine Base, New 406), followed until Atlantic Fleet. London, Conn., in October, 1959. He On August 4, 1961, Ellwood was as- August, 1948. was then selected for signed to the U.S.S. Thresher. Successfully com- Ellwood Henry Forni training at the Guided He is survived by his widow, Mrs. pleting the course Chief Sonarman Missile School, Dan Mildred M. Forni of Mystic, Connecti- of instruction, he United States Navy Neck, Va. cut; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edmund was assigned to his After this training, F. Forni, Sr., and a brother, Edmund, Jr., first Submarine, the Ellwood was assigned all of Pikesville, Maryland. U.S.S. Sennett (SS 408). It was while to the nuclear-powered submarine Raymond Peter Foti was born on May in the Submarine School at the U.S. was assigned to the nuclear-powered 6, 1939, in Rochester, N.Y., the eldest Naval Submarine submarine U.S.S. son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Foti. The Base, New London, Thresher (SSN family moved to Webster, N.Y., where Conn. He success- 593), as a mem- Raymond attended and was graduated fully completed the ber of her crew. from Holy Trinity Parochial School. course of instruction During his naval He attended St. Thomas Aquinas High and was assigned to service, Raymond School in Rochester, for 2 years, stand- his first submarine, had earned the ing first, scholastically, in a class of 400. the U.S.S. Medregal Navy’s Good As an honor student he was a member (SS 480). It was Conduct Medal. of the St. Thomas Aquinas Honor Club. while serving in the He is survived Raymond returned to Webster High Medregal that Ray- by his widow, School from which he was graduated. mond became quali- Mrs. Frances After high school he attended the fied as a submariner Dora Foti; a son, University of Rochester for a short and was awarded his Anthony; and his time, and was employed by the East- silver dolphins. Raymond Peter Foti parents, Mr. and man Kodak Co., prior to enlisting in the He was selected for Electronics Technician First Class Mrs. Anthony Navy on August 26, 1958. advance training in United States Navy Foti of Web- Raymond completed his basic train- nuclear power, and ster, N.Y. He ing, and attended the Navy’s Electronics attended the school also leaves three Technician School at the U.S. Naval at the Nuclear Power Training Unit at brothers, Frederick, William and Robert Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. He Windsor Locks, and at the submarine Foti also of Webster. volunteered for submarine duty and base, New London, Conn. upon being accepted he was enrolled On November 29, 1961, Raymond Page Base and USSVI News May Meeting Minutes will then revisit the five-year interval As a reminder, Mrs. Mary Lee Coe The May 2008 meeting was held at the VFW on Saturday, May 17, 2008. It between services after the 50th. Fowler, daughter of LCDR James “Red” was called to order followed by a prayer We approved $200.00 for Traip Coe, Commanding Officer USS CISCO and pledge of allegiance. The Tolling of Academy Seniors and $100.00 for the (lost in WW II) will attend our July the Bell was conducted for boats lost student with the Thresher Display. meeting as our guest speaker.