Joseph Gentlesk
Joseph Gentlesk
JOSEPH GENTLESK was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 21, 1893 to Felix (Philip) and Mary Gentlesk, who had both been born in Italy. When the Census was taken in 1910 he was the oldest of the six children still living, two having died. The family lived at 134 Stanley Street in South Camden. Felix Gentlesk worked as a laborer, and Joseph was also working as a laborer, at the Howland Croft & Son mill on Broadway at Winslow Street. Besides Joseph, the younger children then at home were Charles, Annie, Nettie, Rocco “Roxie,” and Michael. Another son, Daniel, was born in 1912.
When he registered for the draft in June of 1917 Joseph Gentlesk was living at 1029 Locust Street. He was then working as a wagon driver. His mother and brother Charles would still be living at this address as late as 1942.
Joseph Gentlesk was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on February 17, 1923. He served for over 36 years, retiring on October 1, 1959.
The 1929 Camden City Directory shows Joseph Gentlesk at 260 Mount Vernon Street. Fire Department records from 1931 show Joseph Gentlesk again living at 1029 Locust Street. Census records indicate that although still a city employee, by 1935 Joseph Gentlesk had moved to Haddon Heights, New Jersey. He listed his address at 351 Pine Street, the home of his in-laws, Michael and Rose Burgo.
Joseph Gentlesk passed away on January 3, 1964.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Registration Card — Joseph Gentlesk, June 5, 1917
Hook & Ladder Company 3, Hose & Chemical Company 1 & Engine Company 9 — 1924
Hook & Ladder Company 3: Captain Joseph B. Ayres, FF Dave Humphries, Al Dukes, John Mulligan, Bill Mountney, Bill Hopkins. Hose & Chemical Company 1: Captain Charles H. Robinson, FF William E “Pud” Jaeckel, George Townsend, Ken Naylor, Howard Gick. Engine Company 9: Captain John H. Vickers, FF Irv Lederman, Newton Ash, Joe Gentlesk, Al Palmer
Boy Saves Sister When Home Burns
Camden Courier-Post —
Carries Infant to Mother Whose Screams Bring Rescuers
A boy, 5, probably saved the life of his 16-months-old sister when fire damaged their home at 631 West street, yesterday.
The children, Nicholas and Mary Delaurentz, were playing in the first floor front room when the blaze broke out shortly before 10 a. m.
Screaming, Nicholas tugged and pulled his little sister half-way up the stairs to the second floor, where their mother, Mrs. Elisa Delaurentz, was making beds.
Mrs. Delaurentz snatched the infant from Nicholas’ arms. Believing they were trapped by flames which had started eating their way toward the stairs, Mrs. Delaurentz and the children went to a second story front window and called for help.
A passerby heard them and telephoned an alarm from the store of Joseph Di Maro, West and Royden streets.
Mrs. Delaurentz still was at the window when firemen from Engine Company No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets, arrived. Capt. Harry Wagner and Hoseman Joseph Gentlesk and Charles Conway, dashed into the house. Two of them carried the children while the other led Mrs. Delaurentz to safety.
Mrs. Delaurentz was taken to the home of Mrs. Jennie Ferri, 627 West street. She had become separated from the children in the confusion and thinking they still were in the burning house, she collapsed.
Mrs. Delaurentz’s husband, Louis, was at Cooper Hospital at the time of the fire getting medicine. He suffered a sun-stroke several years ago and has not been well since. He is unemployed.
Three other children, Rose, 10; Eva, 8, and Dominick, 7, were in school.
Firemen said the blaze, which caused about $300 damage, probably was started by a smouldering cigarette stump or by the children. Nicholas denied that he and his little sister were playing with matches.
World War II Draft Card
World War II Draft Registration Card — Joseph Gentlesk
Pine St. Couple Wed 50 Years
Camden Courier-Post —
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Burgo, of 351 Pine st., will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday at 11 a. m. with a high Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.
A family dinner will be held at the Green Tree Inn. The Burgos were married in Philadelphia Nov. 19, 1906, and have lived in Camden 45 years, where Burgo was employed with Public Service Electric and Gas Co. He recently completed 25 years with the company.
The couple has six children, Mrs. Joseph Gentlesk, Mrs. Michael Gentlesk, and Mrs. Michael Coccia, of Haddon Heights; Rocco Burgo, of Camden; Frank Burgo, of Lenola, and John Burgo, of Camden. They also have 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Open house will be held Sunday in Mt. Carmel Church Hall, 4th and Division sts.
Joseph Gentlesk
Camden Courier-Post —
JOSEPH GENTLESK — Retiring city fireman who spent 35 years in the department. His retirement was marked with a celebration in headquarters of Engine Company 10.
Joseph Gentlesk
Camden Courier-Post —
Joseph Gentlesk, 70, of 2001 S. Park ave., Haddon Heights, died yesterday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Born in Philadelphia, he was a resident of Camden 35 years. He was a retired Camden fireman with 36 years of service and was an honorary member of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association of New Jersey and a member of the Police and Firemen Association of Camden.
Surviving are his wife, Angeline; three daughters, Rosemarie, Anne and Antoinette, all at home; two brothers, Charles of Pennsauken and Rocco of Camden, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Azzari of Gloucester.
Friends will meet Tuesday at 8:30 a. m. in the Bocco Funeral Home, 4th and Walnut sts. Solemn requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 a. m. in Sacred Heart Church, Mount Ephraim. There will be a viewing in the funeral home Monday night. Burial will be in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.