SALEM - Edward “Buddy Walker” Wolkiewicz who lived a very full 90 and 2/3 years passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 10th at Beverly Hospital surrounded by his family. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Genevieve Pszenny and Zygmunt Wolkiewicz and was a lifelong resident of the city. He attended St. John the Baptist grammar school and was a graduate of Salem High School. He was predeceased by his wife Jessie (Radzinski) Wolkiewicz. Buddy was a member of the United States Army Air Corp and proudly served his country during WWII. After his service he was employed by Parker Brothers in Salem. He then became the owner operator of Iho’s Garage until his retirement. During his lifetime Buddy was a member of several local Polish Polka Bands, starting out with the Polka Dots, Krakawiaki and lastly for nearly seven decades the leader of the Warszawiaki Orchestra. He was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church in Salem and an active member of the St. John's Booster Club, VFW, PACC and PLAV.
He is survived by his two sons, Edward and his wife Ida Wolkiewicz of Venice, FL, Jesse and his wife Robin Wolkiewicz of Salem, four daughters, Ellen DuBois and her husband Glenn of Lunenburg, MA, Jean and her husband Dick Kenney of Salem, Mary Toppan of Gloucester and Wendy Cahill of Beverly, 9 grandchildren and their spouses, David and Amy DuBois, Elise and Chris Martin, Erin and Erik Wilson, Jessica Wolkiewicz, Ginelle and Jay Massey, Brian and Jess Hubis, James Wolkiewicz Jr., David Wolkiewicz and Jake Cahill, 3 great grandchildren; Eli Martin, Axel Massey and Maecie Wilson and 2 long time friends and band mates Tony Malionek and Chuck Becker. He was predeceased by a son James Wolkiewicz, his longtime companion, Julie Leighton and two sons-in-law, Dana Cahill and Waino Toppan.
His funeral service will be held, Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 9 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am the St. John the Baptist Church, Salem. Visiting hours are Friday 3-7 PM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery, Salem. For those who desire, donations may be made in Buddy’s memory to the Disabled Veterans, (DAV) PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0302. For on line guest book visit www.SalemFuneral.com.