Trick Or Trunk Chief Celecki Dies on Duty SWMHS Hall of Fame
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South Amboy-Sayreville Times October 24, 2015 1 Chief Celecki SWMHS Hall Of Fame Dies On Duty Committee By Tom Burkard The SWMHS Hall of Fame Committee On Oct. 14, popular Middlesex County is seeking nominations for its 2016 Awards Fire Police Chief/longtime South Amboy Induction Ceremony. Nominees must be Fire Dept. firefighter, Gerald “Bear” Celecki, graduates of Sayreville High School who 70, answered a call for a possible gas leak have made outstanding contributions to their at a home on Parker Ave. While in the street profession, organization, or community. directing a fire truck that was backing up, the Briefly list the individual’s accomplishments, driver noticed he couldn’t see Celecki, and year of graduation if known, and contact stopped the truck, got out, and found him information, including email address. Call after he collapsed on the ground. Firefight- Elaine Kubacz at 732-727-0192 for nomi- ers began lifesaving techniques, and he was nation forms, or submit nomination letters rushed to Raritan Bay Medical Center in to: SWMHS Hall of Fame Committee, 20 Perth Amboy, where he was pronounced dead. Holly Drive, Parlin NJ 08859, before No- Fire Chief Mike Geraltowski was very vember 13, 2015. Nominations can also be saddened by the death of his old friend, and emailed to: [email protected], or said, “He was “Bear.” One of a kind, and [email protected]. Be sure to include there will never be another. I knew him for your own contact information in case we 25 years and will really miss him.” Chief Mike Geraltowski (c), 1st Assistant Chief John Kelly (l) and 2nd Assistant Chief Steve Szatkowski have any questions. Jerry, who grew up in Perth Amboy, lead the South Amboy Fire Department at its 125th Anniversary Parade. (Photo by Brian Stratton) served 50-plus years as a firefighter with South Amboy Fire Dept. Trick Or Trunk South Amboy and Perth Amboy. The Sayreville Recreation Department He was a member of Progressive Fire Celebrates 125th Anniversary will be having it’s Annual Halloween Trick Co.; Exempt Firemen’s Association; Antique By Tom Burkard or Trunk Parade on October 28, 2015 at the Fire Apparatus Association of Central Jersey; The weather gods spared the South Chief-1975; James Nemeth, Independence, Borough of Sayreville Football Field on Perth Amboy Volunteer Fire Dept. Amboy Fire Dept. of the possibility of facing Chief-1977; Edward Szatkowski, Protec- Dolan Avenue. Parade begins at 6:30pm. All “Bear” was a large man in stature, had Hurricane Joaquin, and the long-anticipated tion, Chief-1981; Francis “Butch” Mulvey, are welcome. Prizes to be awarded for Best a heart of gold, and was always willing to 125th Anniversary Parade kicked-off on Mechanicsville, Chief-1984; John Donnelly, Costume per age group; Kids are invited to help anyone in need. He was most proud schedule, despite a very chilly, windy and Progressive, Chief-1978. Trick or Treat on the track. In an effort to to be a firefighter, and always gave 110% of overcast day. The event was supposed to end The Sayreville Fire Dept. had a banner collect food for the Sayreville Food Bank his dedication to the South Amboy Fire Dept. at Waterfront Park with festivities to follow, day by taking home 13 trophies, however, we are asking all participants bring 2 current and Middlesex County Fire Police. Gerald but according to one fireman, “high winds Boonton Fire Dept. captured the Ellsworth non-perishable food items to the Trick or “Bear” Celecki will be sadly missed by the were blowing the food tents around, and Post Trophy for Best Overall Fire Dept., Trunk as an entry fee. Please help us help those community, but always remembered. the tents and celebration had to be moved as awarded by the State Exempt Firemen’s who are struggling in these difficult times. *See Brian Stratton’s feature story on behind Enterprise Snorkel Fire Co. on lower Organization. The Sayreville Recreation Department page 25 from 2003 about Jerry and his vin- George St. A very proud Chief Geraltowski men- wants to wish everyone a safe and Happy tage fire truck Fire Chief Mike Geraltowski said that, tioned the Fire Dept. had been working very Halloween. “Considering the hurdles we had to overcome hard planning the event for 5 years, by hold- Flags At Half-Staff the morning of the parade, and having to ing fundraisers that included two circuses, move all the festivities from the county park a murder mystery night, basketball game For Celecki to the Enterprise Fire House on George St., with the Harlem Wizards, and a golf outing. Gov. Chris Christie ordered that all state we did okay. We are happy with the results, He said, “We had an outstanding turnout buildings should fly their flags at half-staff and everybody had a great time.” of the South Amboy Fire Dept., and I was from Oct. 22-Oct.28 in honor and tribute The parade lasted nearly an hour and fea- very proud to march in front of them as the to South Amboy’s Gerald “Bear” Celecki, tured 24 departments, over 100 fire apparatus, 125th Chief of the South Amboy Fire Dept. who died on Oct. 14 in the line of duty and many fire personnel marching, plus first I also would like to thank all the members while directing traffic on Parker Ave., where aid squads and emergency personnel, coming of the committee for 5 years of dedication firefighters checked on a gas leak. from all over the state, with the furthest being and hard work.” Hackettstown from the North and Freehold The celebration at the Enterprise fire Lodzinski Trial To from the South, as well as popular local house featured great music provided by marching units and bands. D.J. Johnny B., and also a talented local Proceed The South Amboy Fire Dept. was led by band, the JJO’s. There were plenty of hot By Steve Schmid 5-time World Champion, Blessed Sacrament dogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers for the Superior Court Judge Daniel Nieves Golden Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. hungry parade participants and spectators. sitting in New Brunswick has ruled the The Parade Marshals, all former Everyone had a great time helping the City of murder trial of former South Amboy resident chiefs, were driven in separate, cool sports South Amboy Fire Dept. celebrate its 125th Michelle Lodzinski will move ahead. Nieves cars. They were Walter Kozak, Enterprise, Anniversary. ruled the prosecutors have provided sufficient circumstantial evidence to link Lodzinski to the killing of her 5 year old son Timothy South Amboy Elementary School 5th grader Wiltsey.The judge commented Lodzinski Franchesca Sambucci sings the Star Spangled changed her story several times about her Banner to open the New Jersey State Exempt Fireman's Convention which was hosted by the son’s alleged kidnapping from a Sayreville South Amboy Fire Department at the South carnival on May 25, 1991. Nieves added Amboy Middle/High School. (Photo by Brian Lodzinski admitted to changing her accounts Stratton) to police which hindered the investigation and may reasonably establish circumstantial evidence of guilt. NEXT ISSUE: 21st November Thanksgiving Issue DEADLINES November 9th FOR ADS CALL 732-727-0398 OR 732-841-5249 The Sayreville Fire Department march down South Stevens Ave during the SAFD 125th Anniversary parade. Sayreville took home 13 trophies and were well represented. Next June Sayreville Fire Department will celebrate its 100th Anniversary! (Photo by Brian Stratton) 2 October 24, 2015 South Amboy-Sayreville Times Talk Of The Towns By Tom Burkard In Memoriam 9th District of the Sayreville Democratic William Connors, 57, formerly of Sayre- Association, and also a member of many local ville died on Sept. 18. He worked as a police organizations. Betty Jane Smith Cassidy, officer for the Port Authority of NY and NJ 81, formerly of Sayreville died on Oct. 8. for 25 years, retiring in 2004. William was Before retiring in 2006, she worked for the involved in the Sept. 11th rescue efforts at the Sayreville Board of Education as a school bus World Trade Center, where he worked for 9 driver for 32 years, and was an Elder with months, recovering our lost heroes. Charles the First Presbyterian Church of Sayreville. “Charlie” Best, 88, of Parlin died on Sept. 26. Daniel “Danny” Carter, 54, of Sayreville died He worked at Bendix and was involved in de- on Oct. 9 after being struck by an automobile veloping the navigation system for the Apollo while crossing Main St. in Sayreville. Danny moon landing. Charlie was a terrific guy, was employed by the Borough of Sayreville and very proud U.S. Navy veteran of World Police Dept. for the past 35 years as an auto War II and the Korean War. Ann Samuel, mechanic. Caroline DeLucia, 88, of South 94, of Sayreville died on Sept. 30. She was Amboy died on Oct. 19. She was employed a member of many Sayreville organizations, by Charles Komar & Sons for 25 years prior to and was known for her creativity, especially her retirement. Caroline was also a member/ making dresses and capes for the Infant of Past PTA President of St. Mary’s Grammar Prague statue at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and High Schools. A kind-hearted lady, she and elsewhere. Ann was also appreciated will never be forgotten. Amboy Bankers Become Builders For A Day- As part of the Habitat for Humanity Perth Amboy by all for her baking and decorating skills. location, Amboy Bank employees helped restore a Laurie Street home for a single mother and her three May they always be remembered for children.