Leon C. Puszczykowski
Leon C. Puszczykowski, Camden Fire Department
LEON CARL PUSZCZYKOWSKI was born on December 14, 1930 to Minnie and Leon F. Puszczykowski. His father was a well-known ball-player and umpire in and around Camden. He later was appointed to the Camden Police Department. Tragically, Officer Puszczykowski died on the operating table after being injured in a motorcycle accident while on duty in October of 1939. The family, which included a sister, Elaine, was then living at 1226 Decatur Street, and remained at that address into the 1950s.
Leon C. Puszczykowski attended Camden County Vocational School. In January of 1951 he became engaged to Agnes B. Trout, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter. He trained as a welder and had risen to the rank of corporal by October of 1953. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with the 8th Ordnance Field Maintenance Company throughout most of 1952 and 1953. On May 3, 1952 Leon C. Puszcykowski and Agnes B. Trout married in St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. The marriage produced three children, Leon Jr., Kenneth, and Linda.
On December 30, 1955 Leon C. Puzczykowski was sworn in as a member of the Camden Fire Department. He was then living at 3016 Congress Road in Fairview, and was at the time a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Leon C. Puzczykowski retired on pension from the Fire Department on December 1, 1981. During his time with the Fire Department he was active in union affairs with the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association and at one time served as President of Local 5 of the New Jersey Firemen’s Association. He took an active part in negotiating contracts for Camden and Atlantic City fire fighters. After retirement he worked as a carpenter for Camden County. The Puszczykowskis were still at the Congress Road address as late as 1980, then moved to Audubon, New Jersey.
Sadly, Leon C. Puszczykowski’s son Leon Jr. died of a heart attack at the age of 36 in April of 1990. A heart attack also took Leon Puszczykowski, on February 15, 1992. He was survived by his wife Agnes, son Kenneth, daughter Linda, and three grandchildren. His wife joined him on January 26, 2007.
Engagement Announcement
Camden Courier-Post —
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Trout, of 235 Hampshire avenue, Audubon, announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Agnes Barbara Trout, to Mr. Leon Puszczykowski, son of Mrs. Leon Puszczykowski, of 1226 Decatur street.
Puszczykowski-Trout
Camden Courier-Post —
Miss Agnes Barbara Trout, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell H. Trout, of 235 Hampshire avenue, Audubon, became the bride this morning of Pfc. Leon C. Puszczykowski, USMC, son of Mrs. Leon Puszczykowski, of 1226 Decatur street. The ceremony took place at a 10 o’clock nuptial Mass in St. Rose of Lima Church, Haddon Heights, with the Rev. John Lubicky officiating.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of white lace over satin, the full skirt made entrain, and the bodice designed with a high round neckline appliqued with the lace. She wore matching lace mitts, and a Juliet cap of lace over satin held her fingertip veil of illusion. She carried a cascade bouquet of white gladioli.
Miss Marie L. Trout was maid of honor for her sister in a frock of pastel green tulle over taffeta made with a scoop neckline. Miss Eileen Daly and Miss Nancy Ackerman, of Collingswood, as bridesmaids, appeared in similar models, but in deeper shades of green. All wore tulle picture hats to match their gowns and carried cascade bouquets of peach gladioli.
Pfc. David Gappa, USMC, of Bridgeton, acted as best man, and Mr. William Frank, of Pennsauken township, and Mr. James Mahney, of this city, ushered.
Following a reception, Private Puszczykowski and his bride will leave for a wedding trip through the South. On their return they will make their home at the Audubon address.
13 Given Oath At City Hall as New Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Thirteen new firemen were sworn in today by Safety Director E. George Aaron in ceremonies at City Hall.
Beginning Sunday they will start a 90-day probationary period, during which they will receive instruction at the fire training school, 9th and Morgan sts.
All are war veterans and all are replacements in vacancies caused by deaths or retirements on pension. Their initial salary is $3800 a year, which may increase to a maximum of $4800 after two years.
Director Aaron announced that their appointment brings the fire department to its full strength of 250, except for four captaincies.
Those sworn in are Edward T. Irwin, 36, of 910 N. 24th st.; William Johns Hopkins, 32, of 830 Grant st.; Robert Richards Rowan Jr., 23, of 58 Erie st.; Alchester Warren, 34, of 776 Walnut st.; John Lynn Sterner, 27, of 2738 Lincoln ave.; Leon Carl Puszcykowski, 25, 3106 S. Congress rd.; Joseph Anthony Verderosa, 27, of 1193 Thurman st.; William J. O’Connor, 24, Apartment 281, 342 Dudley st.; Kenneth Clark, 23, of Apartment 295, 346 Dudley st.; Carl Richard Szalkowski, 33, of 1071 Thurman st.; Alfred Nigro, 29, of 912 S. 5th st.; Francis Paul Stibi, 26, of 329 Dailey st., and James Hovey Troutman, 28, of 2944 High st.
Weideman-Esloa
Camden Courier-Post —
Miss Catherine Marie Esloa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Esloa, of 403 Boyd st., became the bride Saturday morning of Mr. Raymond F. Weideman Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Weideman, of 420 Oak st., Audubon, at an 11 o’clock nuptial Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, East Camden, with the Rev. James Welsh officiating.
Mr. Esloa gave his daughter in marriage and she was attended by her sisters, Miss Elizabeth Esloa, as maid of honor, and Miss Mary Esloa, as bridesmaid.
Mr. Leon Puszczykowski, of Camden, served as his cousin’s best man and another cousin, Mr. Russell Trout, of Audubon, ushered.
A wedding breakfast followed at Kenney’s. On their return from a honeymoon in New York City, Mr. Weideman and his bride will reside at 623 Grant ave., West Collingswood.
Thomas Carr Heads Police, Fire Group
Camden Courier-Post —
Thomas J. Carr Sr. has been reelected president of the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association, it was announced today.
Other officers elected for 1958 are John K. Voll, vice president; Harrison Pike, treasurer; Joseph Gfrorer, financial secretary; Arthur C. Batten, recording secretary; Winfield Leviseur, chairman of the board of managers; Joseph Ballinghoff, John Moore and Howard Brickner, members of the board of managers, and Joseph Dmochowski, Leon Puszczykowski, Ernest Tartaglia and Spencer Smith, sergeants-at-arms.
Appointments include: Gfrorer, flower committee; Leviseur, memorial committee; Pike, Leviseur and Gfrorer, loan committee; George Bowen, auditor; Bruce A. Wallace, solicitor.
Engine Company 10 — c. 1960
At Engine Company 10 around 1960: Seated, from left: Fireman James J. Cusick Sr., William Winstanley, Leon C. Puszczykowski, unknown. Standing: Unknown, Unknown, Anthony Orme, Unknown, Unknown.
Camden Firemen Survey Wilson Elementary School Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
CAMDEN FIREMEN survey contents of a classroom closet at Wilson Elementary School, 9th and Florence sts., where fire broke out today. The fire started in the closet of a room where a special class was being conducted for pupils some of whom are blind. Shown (left to right) are Leon Puszczykowski and Ernest Tartaglia. Standing in rear is Chief Joseph Guarino of District Three. — Courier-Post Photo by Gary L. Shivers
City Firemen Seek 42-Hr. Work Week
Camden Courier-Post —
By JOSEPH R. MC CARTHY
Courier-Post Staff
Camden Fire Department members of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 788, are circulating petitions seeking a 42-hour work week.
Kenneth Clark, president of the local, said the firemen now work 56 hours and although they have attempted many times to obtain a 42-hour week, they decided to resort to the voters.
Clark said the firemen already have the required 4,882 signatures to place the question on the ballot as a referendum. He said the group expects to produce between 7,500 and 8,000 signatures.
The union has 131 members, or about half of the membership of the department, Clark said. Clark said all other departments of the city government work 42-hour weeks, or less. He cited the police department as having been on 42 hours since 1950.
“All major cities in the state, with the exception of one small city,” Clark said, “have their paid firemen working 42 hours a week.”
Fire Chief Edward Michalak said granting of the reduced hours would mean the addition of 74 new men to sufficiently man the department.
Leon Puszczykowski, president of the Firemen’s Benevolent Association, answered “no comment,” when asked about the plan.
Clark said a general meeting of all city firemen has been called for 8 o’clock in the Police and Fire Club, 1175 Whitman Avenue.
Joseph J. McComb, president of the Central Labor Union, will address the firemen, Clark reported.
Firemen, Police File Pay Petition
Camden Courier-Post —
City police and firemen yesterday filed petitions to place their pay raise question on the ballot in the November election.
Firemen Oppose Ending Job
Camden Courier-Post —
By JAMES SMITH
Courier-Post Staff
Three organizations, representing 90 per cent of Camden’s 250 firemen, strongly protested the proposed abolition of the director of public safety to city council last night.
James R. Asher, battalion chief and president of Local 788 of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO, said firemen fear the division of the fire and police departments might result in a lack of protection for firemen during periods of civil strife.
He added that many firemen also feel that a disparity will result between the salaries and working conditions of policemen and themselves.
Have Common Boss
“If we have trouble in the streets and the chief of police, whoever he may be, decides he can’t spare officers to accompany firemen during alarms, we’ll be out there by ourselves,” Asher said.
He added, “We don’t want to be victims of this because as it stands now the chief of police and chief of the fire department are answerable to a common director.”
Chief of Police Harold Melleby is now acting director of public safety. He has proposed, in accordance with a recently-completed police department study, that the position of director be abolished and replaced with separate chiefs answerable to the mayor.
Not Included
Commenting on the survey report, Asher said it did not include the fire department and noted the recommendations only apply to the police department.
He said the proposal that police salaries be increased by at least $1,000 could result in a disparity with firemen’s salaries. Presently both make a base salary of $8,300.
Leon Puszczykowski, president of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association, said abolishing the directorship “could put us in a very uncomfortable seat.”
Asher noted the purpose of the closed-door session was to inform council of the “seriousness of the problem.”
Spencer H. Smith Jr., president of the Police and Fire Association of Camden, could not attend due to ill health.
Council president Mrs. Elizabeth Hawk said she had no comment on the meeting. She said a meeting will be held with Mayor Alfred R. Pierce before any action is taken by council. Council recently met with Melleby.
John Marini, councilman, said he supports the police department “100 per cent” but noted that this does not necessarily reflect council’s view.
It was his belief the city should back its police force and law enforcement agencies. He said he could see no real problem that would be caused by abolishing the public safety director.
In Recognition…
Camden Fire Department — Fire Watch Magazine, Spring 1977
IN RECOGNITION….
Members as listed above, have anniversary dates which fall during the first quarter.
Leon C. Puszczykowski Jr.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
LEON C. PUSZCZYKOWSKI, 36, of Audubon, died Friday at Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center, Camden.
Mr. Puszczykowski worked as a telephone assistant for Bell Telephone Co. in Woodbury for 16 years.
Survivors: his parents, Leon C. Sr. and Agnes Trout Puszczykowski; a brother, Kenneth of Sicklerville, and a sister, Linda Rennies of Audubon.
Services: viewing, 7 p.m. today, John A. Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights; funeral, 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at the funeral home; Mass, 11 a.m. tomorrow, St. Rose of Lima Church, Fourth Avenue and Kings Highway, Haddon Heights; burial, New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
L. Puszczykowski Sr., former city firefighter
Camden Courier-Post —
AUDUBON — Services will be held Wednesday for Leon C. Puszczykowski Sr., 61, a former Camden firefighter.
He died of a heart attack Saturday at Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center in Camden.
Mr. Puszczykowski was a Camden firefighter for 27 years, retiring about five years ago. He currently worked as a carpenter for Camden County.
He belonged to the New Jersey Firemen’s Association and once served as president of the group’s Local 5, Camden. He was a member of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association and sat on the negotiating committee for Camden and Atlantic City firefighters.
Mr. Puszczykowski was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He belonged to American Legion Post 71 in Camden and the Army & Navy Union, Garrison No. 52, in National Park.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes B. (Trout); a son, Kenneth of Sicklerville; a daughter, Linda Rennles of Audubon; his mother, Minnie, of Camden; a sister, Elaine Lippincott of Cherry Hill; and three grandchildren.
He also was the father of the late Leon C. Puszczykowski Jr.
A viewing will be held Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the John A. Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike (at Kings Highway), Haddon Heights.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Rose of Lima Church, Kings Highway and Fourth Avenue in Haddon Heights. Interment will follow at New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr.
Leon C. Puszczykowski
Philadelphia Inquirer —
LEON C. PUSZCZYKOWSKI, 61, of Audubon, died Saturday at Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center, Camden.
Mr. Puszczykowski was a carpenter and retired firefighter in Camden City. He was a member of the New Jersey Firemen’s Association, former president of Local 5 in Camden and a member of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association. He was a Marine veteran, and he was a member of the American Legion Post 71 in Camden and the Army & Navy Union Garrison 52 in National Park.
Survivors: his wife, Agnes Trout Puszczykowski; a son, Kenneth of Sicklerville; a daughter, Linda Rennles of Audubon; three grandchildren; his mother, Minnie of Camden, and a sister, Elaine Lippincott of Cherry Hill.
Services: viewing, 7 to 9 p.m. today, John A. Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights; Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. tomorrow, St. Rose of Lima Church, Kings Highway and Fourth Avenue, Haddon Heights; burial, New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
Memorial Card
Leon C. Puszczykowski memorial card
Puszczykowski, Agnes B.
Camden Courier-Post —
PUSZCZYKOWSKI, Agnes B. On Jan. 26, 2007, Agnes B. (nee Trout), age 75, passed away at her home in Audubon.
A graduate of St. Rose of Lima Grammar School and Camden Catholic High School, Agnes was a Bon-Bon at the Murray Trout American Legion Post. She founded and ran the Riflers all-girl drill team and volunteered with the Audubon Little League running the concessions.
She is the beloved wife of the late, Leon C. Sr. She is the devoted mother of Kenneth (Rosalind), Melinda and the late Leon C. Jr. She is the loving grandmother of Andrea, Joseph and Melinda. She is the dear sister of James Trout, Marie Pente and the late, Russell Trout.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 PM and again Wednesday morning from 8:30-9:30 AM at The HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 9 White Horse Pike (at Kings Hwy.), Haddon Heights. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday 10:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima RC Church, 4th Ave. and Kings Hwy., Haddon Heights. Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Blvd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.