1927
Walter
2014
Walter "Beck" Zaluski
January 27, 1927 — April 2, 2014
Walter Zaluski, 87, of Struthers, passed away peacefully, early Wednesday morning, April 2, 2014 surrounded by his family.
Walter, affectionately known as "Beck", was born January 27, 1927 in Struthers, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph J. and Mary D. Malek Zaluski.
He excelled in football and track, and at the age of 14, played running back and proudly wore the #98 all through high school and while playing football in the Army. Walter was a graduate of the Struthers High School, Class of June 1945, and later attended Youngstown College.
After graduating from high school, Walter worked at the Youngstown Sheet & Tube until enlisting in the United States Army where he served in the 2nd Armored Division, Hell on Wheels. While in the service, Walter played football as half back from 1943-1944 and was proud to have played with Jim Busby, who later played center field with the Cleveland Indians. He also boxed while in the service and fought Lou Jenkins who was the 1940 World Welter Weight Champion.
After his honorable discharge in 1947, Walter returned to the area, and to the Youngstown Sheet & Tube, where he worked in the coal strip. He retired October 1, 1977 after 35 years of service.
While employed at the Youngstown Sheet & Tube, Walter served as a public official for the City of Struthers. He was first elected in 1953 as Council at Large, and later served in various offices including President of Council, acting as Mayor, and 4th Ward Councilman. He served the city for over 25 years.
Walter was a life-time member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, now known as Christ Our Savior Parish, and a member of its' Altar-Rosary Society. He was a member of the American Legion, a member and past president of the St. Joseph Croatian CFU Lodge #504 of Struthers, now known as St. George CFU Lodge #66 of Youngstown, the Croatian Veseljaci Group of Farrell, PA., and the St. George Kolo Assemble of Youngstown.
Very proud of his Croatian Heritage, Walter and his wife Amelia, visited his parent's homeland, Pokupsko, Croatia. They also traveled through other regions of Croatia, Bosnia- Herzengovina, including the Shrine of Our Lady Medjugorje, (Queen of Peace).
Other enjoyments in Walter's life included gardening, golfing, baseball, bocce, fishing, traveling to Hawaii, singing, dancing, and listening to all genre of music, including Dean Martin and the Tamburitza. Walter also played the harmonica and the Croatian instrument, the brach. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Browns.
Walter especially loved his family and celebrating all the holidays, including birthdays with them.
Walter's first wife, the former Mary Jane Reves, whom he married October 29, 1949, passed away August 23, 1987.
He leaves his wife of 25 years, the former Amelia Sarich Delost, whom he married June 25, 1988; two children, Michael (Jean) Zaluski of N. Canton and Marilyn Zaluski Tusinac of Youngstown; three step-children, Pauline (Frank) Mascola of Struthers, Bernard Delost of Indian Shores, FL., and Mark Delost of Tarpon Springs, FL; four grandchildren, Brian (Claudessa) Tusinac, Shawn Tusinac, and Marissa Tusinac all of Austintown, and Chris (Clair) Zaluski of Asheville, NC; five step-grandchildren, Frank (Darlene) Mascola and Mike Mascola all of Struthers, and Kristina Delost of Canfield, Jennifer Delost of Poland, and Mark Delost, Jr., of Tarpon Springs, FL ; and three great-grandchildren, Devyn Tusinac, Kenleigh Tusinac, and Aubrey Brajer.
Besides his parents and his first wife, Walter was preceded in death by three brothers, Miller, Carl, and Joseph Zaluski; and one sister, Mary Zaluski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, 10:00 AM at Christ Our Savior Parish, St. Nicholas in Struthers with Fr. Bernard Gaeta officiating. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Lowellville where he will have Military Honors.
Family and friends may call Friday from 4-7 PM at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main Street, Poland where a Prayer Service will be held Saturday at 9:15 AM.
Walter's family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care provided by their family Doctor, Michael B. Evans, Dr. Santuccio Ricciardi, the staff of Maplecrest Nursing Home in Struthers, and All Caring Hospice of Canfield.
Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions to American Cancer Society, (memo line to read "restrict to research" ) East Central Division, P.O. Box 897, Hershey, PA., 17033.
Condolences may be sent to www.beckerobits.com < http://www.beckerobits.com >.
Walter, affectionately known as "Beck", was born January 27, 1927 in Struthers, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph J. and Mary D. Malek Zaluski.
He excelled in football and track, and at the age of 14, played running back and proudly wore the #98 all through high school and while playing football in the Army. Walter was a graduate of the Struthers High School, Class of June 1945, and later attended Youngstown College.
After graduating from high school, Walter worked at the Youngstown Sheet & Tube until enlisting in the United States Army where he served in the 2nd Armored Division, Hell on Wheels. While in the service, Walter played football as half back from 1943-1944 and was proud to have played with Jim Busby, who later played center field with the Cleveland Indians. He also boxed while in the service and fought Lou Jenkins who was the 1940 World Welter Weight Champion.
After his honorable discharge in 1947, Walter returned to the area, and to the Youngstown Sheet & Tube, where he worked in the coal strip. He retired October 1, 1977 after 35 years of service.
While employed at the Youngstown Sheet & Tube, Walter served as a public official for the City of Struthers. He was first elected in 1953 as Council at Large, and later served in various offices including President of Council, acting as Mayor, and 4th Ward Councilman. He served the city for over 25 years.
Walter was a life-time member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, now known as Christ Our Savior Parish, and a member of its' Altar-Rosary Society. He was a member of the American Legion, a member and past president of the St. Joseph Croatian CFU Lodge #504 of Struthers, now known as St. George CFU Lodge #66 of Youngstown, the Croatian Veseljaci Group of Farrell, PA., and the St. George Kolo Assemble of Youngstown.
Very proud of his Croatian Heritage, Walter and his wife Amelia, visited his parent's homeland, Pokupsko, Croatia. They also traveled through other regions of Croatia, Bosnia- Herzengovina, including the Shrine of Our Lady Medjugorje, (Queen of Peace).
Other enjoyments in Walter's life included gardening, golfing, baseball, bocce, fishing, traveling to Hawaii, singing, dancing, and listening to all genre of music, including Dean Martin and the Tamburitza. Walter also played the harmonica and the Croatian instrument, the brach. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Browns.
Walter especially loved his family and celebrating all the holidays, including birthdays with them.
Walter's first wife, the former Mary Jane Reves, whom he married October 29, 1949, passed away August 23, 1987.
He leaves his wife of 25 years, the former Amelia Sarich Delost, whom he married June 25, 1988; two children, Michael (Jean) Zaluski of N. Canton and Marilyn Zaluski Tusinac of Youngstown; three step-children, Pauline (Frank) Mascola of Struthers, Bernard Delost of Indian Shores, FL., and Mark Delost of Tarpon Springs, FL; four grandchildren, Brian (Claudessa) Tusinac, Shawn Tusinac, and Marissa Tusinac all of Austintown, and Chris (Clair) Zaluski of Asheville, NC; five step-grandchildren, Frank (Darlene) Mascola and Mike Mascola all of Struthers, and Kristina Delost of Canfield, Jennifer Delost of Poland, and Mark Delost, Jr., of Tarpon Springs, FL ; and three great-grandchildren, Devyn Tusinac, Kenleigh Tusinac, and Aubrey Brajer.
Besides his parents and his first wife, Walter was preceded in death by three brothers, Miller, Carl, and Joseph Zaluski; and one sister, Mary Zaluski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, 10:00 AM at Christ Our Savior Parish, St. Nicholas in Struthers with Fr. Bernard Gaeta officiating. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Lowellville where he will have Military Honors.
Family and friends may call Friday from 4-7 PM at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main Street, Poland where a Prayer Service will be held Saturday at 9:15 AM.
Walter's family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care provided by their family Doctor, Michael B. Evans, Dr. Santuccio Ricciardi, the staff of Maplecrest Nursing Home in Struthers, and All Caring Hospice of Canfield.
Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions to American Cancer Society, (memo line to read "restrict to research" ) East Central Division, P.O. Box 897, Hershey, PA., 17033.
Condolences may be sent to www.beckerobits.com < http://www.beckerobits.com >.
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