John G. Goleski
John “Johnny” Gilbert Goleski of Southampton died at Southampton Hospital on Tuesday, December 6, after a long battle with a rare muscle degenerating disease called inclusion body myositis. He was 83.
He was born in Bridgehampton on June 9, 1928; in 1936, his family moved to Tuckahoe. He graduated from Southampton High School in 1947 and played several sports including golf, ranking among the top players in Suffolk County. During the early 1950s, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
In his early 20s he played softball for the Arrow Laundry Team and met his soon-to-be wife Marjorie A. Wetmore. Mr. Goleski married Marjorie at the Our Lady of Poland Roman Catholic Church in Southampton on August 13, 1950.
In 1953, the couple moved into their new house next to the Goleski family homestead in Southampton. They had three children in the 1950s—known locally by their nicknames Bobby, Gary and Genie.
Soon thereafter, Mr. Goleski became a member of the Southampton Golf Club and won the club championship title in 1962. He also became a founder member several years later and was very active in the club until just a few years ago. During the winter months he bowled for the Suburban Auto team and in a father-and-son league. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Club in Southampton.
He worked for Bartlett Tree Company for several years and started his own company, the Hampton Tree Expert Company, with Doug Chaulk in 1952. He became sole owner in 1970 and retired from the business in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life he enjoyed lobstering, crabbing, fishing, clamming, scalloping, gardening and other outdoor activities. Once he retired, he spent most of his time golfing, socializing or helping others. He was a prime example of an unselfish, kind-hearted man with a great positive, outgoing personality. He touched the lives of many with his generosity, concern and kindness to everyone, family said.
Upon the death of his wife, Marjorie Wetmore Goleski, in early September 1972, Mr. Goleski met his close friend and life companion, Rose Strand, and her family.
He is survived by his three children, Robert D. Goleski of Southampton, John Gary Goleski of New Jersey and Eugene A. Goleski of Southampton; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was the last surviving member of his generation, which includes his brothers and sisters, Mary Zelenski, Josephine Golas, Stanley Goleski, Genevieve Zuyus and Charlie Goleski.
Visitation was on Friday, December 9, at the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, December 10, at Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton. Interment followed with full military honors at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Southampton, where interment took place alongside Mr. Goleski’s wife, Marjorie.
on Dec 13, 2011