Robert P. Olesiewicz

ROBERT PAUL OLESIEWICZ served the City of Camden as a firefighter for over 39 years, reporting for duty on January 1, 1951 and retiring as a Captain on March 1, 1980. Born in Camden on August 10, 1919 to Zygmunt Olesiewicz and his wife, the former Sophie Peplowski, Robert P. Olesiewicz grew up in Camden’s then predominantly Polish Whitman Park neighborhood. His father had come to America from Poland in 1913. The family was living with Zygmunt Olesiewicz’s brother Joseph at 1008 Mechanic Street when the census was taken in January of 1920. The 1924 and 1929 Camden City Directories shows the family at 1418 South 10th Street, a short walk from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. His parents would still be in this home as late as October of 1970.

Robert Olesiewicz had married Anna Marie Whittaker and was working as an electrician when he was inducted into the United States Army on February 26, 1942. Returning to Camden after completing his service, the 1947 Camden City Directory shows him living with his wife Anna at 321 Mount Vernon Street. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 20, 1950 and, as stated above, reported for duty on January 1, 1951. Robert Olesiewicz was promoted to Captain on February 1, 1966.

By 1970 he and his family had moved to 1194 Morton Street. Sadly, Robert P. Olesiewicz’s wife Anna passed away on June 5, 1973. Tragedy struck again on August 27, 1982 when daughter Anna Marie Olesiewicz was murdered by Richard Biegenwald, who was tried and sentenced to death for the crime. He was permitted to die in prison by the New Jersey State Supreme Court.

Robert P. Olesiewicz retired from the Camden Fire Department on March 1, 1980. He passed away on March 18, 1983.

Mentors Bow by 55–51; Catholic High Beats Limited Seniors, 35 to 27

The Camden Y.M.C.A. varsity quintet took the measure of the South Jersey Coaches by 55 to 51 last night in a free-scoring tussle at the “Y” court.

Fields and fouls were plentiful during the tussle with the Y.M.C.A. outfit racking up a total of 20 baskets from scrimmage and 15 of 23 foul attempts. Bill Ackerman and Al Scott led the attack for the winners with 11 counters apiece, while Art Blaker, Camden High mentor, was the big gun on the offense for the Coaches with five fields and seven fouls for 17 counters.

The preliminary tussle brought together the Camden Catholic High quintet and the Y.M.C.A. Limited Seniors with the scholastic outfit gaining the decision by 35 to 27. Bob Olesiewicz, star center, led the attack for Catholic with seven fields and two fouls for 16 counters, while Eddie Biehler starred for the Limited Seniors with four and one for nine points. Catholic led all the way and was out in front by 16 to 10 at the intermission.

Must Beat Camden to Tie for City Title; Olesiewicz Can Pass Dixon in Scoring

WOODROW WILSON STAR LEADS WITH 40 POINTS

When Camden Catholic High’s eleven faces Camden High’s “Presidents” in the final game of the four-game series Tuesday night at the Convention Hall court, there will be plenty at stake.

The most important matter resting upon Tuesday’s contest, which should attract one of the largest crowds of the season at the “Y” hall, of course, is the championship. The “Irish” stand a fine chance of winning a tie with Woodrow Wilson High.

Then there is the individual and team scoring records for the 1937–38 series at stake. Both of these are at present in the possession of the “Presidents,” who rounded out their four-game schedule last Saturday night by defeating Camden, 43–31, to finish with three victories and one defeat.

Camden Has Scoring Log

Catholic at present shows a log of two wins and a single loss, the Mentors going over the opposition twice and losing to the “Presidents.” They will enter Tuesday’s game with nothing to gain or lose. They have clinched their title. Arthur “Dutsy” Blaker holds a mental edge over Catholic’s coach, who have not won the title since the inception of the series five years ago.

Typically, players on both clubs will be out to give everything they have Tuesday night. Wilson will be striving to salvage some honor from an indifferent season by scoring its first win in the city tilt. Catholic will be hoping, on the other hand, to acquire a title or at least be in a position to tie it with Wilson. If Catholic wins, there will be two clubs sharing the crown twice throughout the current series.

Wilson holds the upper hand in scoring by virtue of having scored in four games against three each for Catholic and Camden. The “Irish” stand a fine chance of wresting both of these honors from the Third and Fourth Federal streets institution.

Ray Dixon Faces Scorers

Ray Dixon, who played a prominent part in the “Presidents’” previous games and who has been an outstanding performer throughout the series, is the individual scoring leader with 40 points, making good 12 out of 15 foul attempts.

But Bob Olesiewicz, Catholic’s five-goal sharp, is within a mighty close range of the leader. Olesiewicz, one step behind the leader, has turned in a total of 37 points in three games on the strength of 13 field goals, making good 11 out of 15 foul throws. Without a doubt, unless Dixon improves greatly Tuesday, Olesiewicz should carry away the individual scoring record on top of Tuesday’s tussle.

There is the possibility that Catholic may also pull down team honors should the “Prexys” slip off on a scoring spree.

Top Two Teams in Scoring

The “Presidents” garnered a total of 98 points in three games, and also lead in the number of field goals with 37. Catholic has collected a total of 98 points, net, with 33 field goals and making good 41 out of 41 foul casts.

Ray Dixon also of the “Prexys” is fourth with 27 points. Bob Olesiewicz, Catholic, is fifth with 21 points.

One of the features of the series has been the excellent defense exhibited by the Woodrow Wilson team.

Walker Robins Hand Lincoln 13 to 0 Shellacking in Aaron Circuit

DOWNS HURLS VICTORY

With Al Delikat limiting the opposition to two safe blows, St. Joseph’s Polish measured off the East Side entry to a 7–1 defeat in Aaron Twilight League rivalry. The score was 7 to 1.

The win was the fifth in eight starts for the third-position St. Joseph’s, firmly defending their chances for third position. The A.C.C. was its ninth straight defeat.

The second-position Walker Robins had little difficulty with the opposition from Lincoln in another league tilt, with Lincoln bowing 13 to 0 shellacking at Broadway and the adjoining street.

Pierson went the distance on the mound for Polish and was knocked around for several safeties, farming seven. Delikat sent down eight of the opposition on strikes.

St. Joseph’s opened with three runs in the first inning and this proved enough to win the ball game. The tileholders then followed with two counters in the fifth and one each in the eighth and ninth.

Bob Olesiewicz of Polish A.C.C. stroked out a double and a single to lead the offense for the winners.

The Walker Robins went on a 13-hit spree to hand Lincoln a neat defeat, with Downs twirling the victory and limiting the East Side entry to one single in the game.

Pollard and Phillips each ribbed out three safeties to lead the attack for the Walker Robins, while Johnny Saddler’s three blows starred for Lincoln.

Thirty-seven candidates have passed the Civil Service test for fireman in the Camden City fire department. Thirty-two of those who qualified are former service men and three of them, disabled veterans, were placed at the top of the list under the preference given by law.

Joseph T. Hackett, of 158 Branch Village, is listed first, Owen D. Gale, 320 Marlton avenue, second and August L. Johnson, 916½ Chestnut street, third.

The salary on Jan. 1 will begin at $2400 and reach a maximum of $3160 after four years.

Following is the complete list of those who qualified in the test:

Joseph T. Hackett, 158 Branch Village; Owen D. Gale, 320 Marlton avenue; August L. Johnson, 916 Chestnut street; Harry Sterling, 112 Ablett Village; Albert A. Stinger, 1423 Bradley avenue; Jesthroe Hunt, 753 Walnut street; Harold H. Pike, 429 Penn street; Roy R. Moffa, 216 Morse street; Allen F. Hess, 2733 Sherman avenue; Franklin W. Whylings, 602 North Thirty-second street; William L. Gosnell, 3303 Crescent drive; David W. Humphries, 3017 Mickle street; William G. Winstanley, 510 Penn street; Joshua H. Robinson, 1934 Kossuth street; Henry S. Keubler, 936 Broadway; Adolph S. Zubrzycki, 1223 South Tenth street; Ralph H. Palmer, 585 Mickle street; Alexander P. Matis, 903 Haddon avenue; Earl G. Robinson, 1036 Penn street; Anthony J. DiMaggio, 530 South Eighth street; Earl A. Smith Sr., 201 Biedeman avenue; Philip J. MacDonald, 123 North Eleventh street; Robert P. Olesiewicz, 321 Mt. Vernon street; Eugene E. Demers, 2034 High street; Chester J. Gedrich, 1154 Thurman street; John F. Chudzinski, 1043 Thurman street; Samuel D. Siniscalki, 803 Line street; Santo DiMaggio, 319 Beckett street; Ludwig Polniak, 471 Pfeiffer street; George P. Baxter, 817 Howard street; Ralph F. Schaffer, Canterbury apartments; Joseph J. McTaggart, 3135 Waldorf avenue; Louis J. Monahan, Canterbury apartments; John DiMaggio, 319 Beckett street; William N. Stone Jr., 950 Vine street; Casper J. Martelli, 220 Mt. Vernon street; and H. Raymond Dixon, 439 Trenton avenue.

The hour-long effort of a fire department rescue squad Friday night saved a woman who tried to kill herself by gas.

Police said Mrs. Florence Marshall, 46, of 330 North Tenth Street, locked herself in the bathroom and turned on a gas jet. They added she was despondent because her daughter, Eva, 22, was planning to marry and leave home.

A son, William, 19, broke down the bathroom door and dragged the mother from the room. Patrolmen John Voll and Harrison Wilkinson were called and summoned the rescue squad headed by Captains Godfrey Patterson and George Boone.

It took the squad an hour to revive Mrs. Marshall by artificial respiration. She was taken to Cooper hospital and later to police headquarters, where she was released for a hearing Monday on a charge of attempted suicide.

Other members of Rescue Squad 1 are george baxter, William Watkin, John Mogck, Edward Brendllnger, Arthur Ballinghoff, Christopher Moll, Edwin Decker, Carl Wirtz, Robert Olesiewicz, John Kolessar and Raymond Banford.

More than 40 members of the Camden Fire Department have completed the Red Cross course in advanced first aid according to announcement today by Howard F. Keller, Collingswood, chairman of the Camden County Chapter’s first aid committee.

Instruction sessions were under the direction of Fire Chief William V. Pfefferle, Drillmaster Anthony Dzinski, a member of the local chapter first aid group, assisted by Nicholas E. George, were instructors. Dzinski is a member of the Red Cross faculty at the National Aquatic School held in this area each year for instruction in advance safety techniques. Dick Harris, director of Red Cross safety services, supervised.

All members of the graduating class are personnel of several units housed at fire department headquarters here. These include the Headquarters Company, Engine Company 2, Rescue Squad 1 and truck company 1. these groups include:

Rescue Squad: Captains Arthur Batten, Philip A. Stinger and albert weller; Edward Brendlinger, harrison macneir, Robert Olesiewicz and james w. smith.

Headquarters Company: raymond banford, John K. Voll and john w. yates.

Truck Company 1: Captains Daniel Jiannetto, Robert E. Dukes and otto v. kaiser; William Watkin, chester gedrich, George Baxter, john mogck, George C. Hennessy, Charles Devlin, Ambrose W. Faust, joseph mctaggart, Howard R. Taggart, William G. Winstanley and elmer johnson jr.

Engine Company 2: Captains James R. Asher, Thomas Winstanley; Carl Wirtz, james mcgrory, Edwin V. Decker, james stewart, Francis X. McTaggart, anthony t. orme, Mario D. Fattore, james o. jones, Francis P. Stibi, william hopkins, Robert E. Briggs, John Guiliano, casper martelli, Harold H. Pike, john j. vane, William Stibi, john dimaggio and Harry Kleinfelder.

By SEAN McKINNEY

CAMDEN — It was the end of an era.

The city council said farewell to six of its oldest firefighters yesterday, three days before they were set to retire. Each has worked for the city fire department for 38 years.

Also honored was Deputy Chief James McMaster, who is retiring after 36 years of service.

“If I’m not mistaken, we have just witnessed 254 years of combined service,” said Council President Gwendolyn Faison after proclamations were read honoring the men who have dedicated over three decades to the city. Deputy Fire Chief John Mogck, who is leaving as chief, started a standing ovation from the audience at the regular council session.

Kenneth Penn, 44, is to be sworn in on Monday by Mayor Randy Primas as the new fire chief.

In other action yesterday, the city attorney’s office was criticized on three fronts.

Frank McGuckin, president of Local 788 of the International Association of Firefighters, criticized City Attorney Patricia Darden of trying to force firefighters Charles Arline, 44, and John DiMaggio, 44, to work a week 41 hours.

McGuckin said after the meeting that Darden was trying to use an old provision to increase working hours, and that the department constitution would have to be changed.

But the union president said the practice was illegal. A new contract proposal that would require all to go into effect today was voted by Business Administrator Patricia Lacy.

Mogck’s successor, Chief Kenneth Penn, 44, is to be sworn in on Monday. Mogck, in an interview, said he couldn’t be more proud of the city department. Penn will take over as chief effective Oct. 1.

“He’s a top man,” said McGuckin, who also contacted Penn being named chief.

In another matter, two recipients of $10,000 grants from a federal program were directed through the legal department for drawing up contracts that would release the grants.

CITY OF CAMDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
3rd & Federal Sts. Camden, N. J. 08102

28 February, 1990

On this date, Captain John DiMaggio, Captain Robert Olesiewicz, Captain Anthony Orme, Fire Fighter Philip MacDonald, Fire Fighter William Stone and myself, will be retiring from the Department. Thirty-nine years ago, each of us were appointed and assigned to units in the 1st Battalion. During these many years and with few exceptions, we have remained in the 1st Battalion.

I am leaving the job with fond memories of the men I have had the distinct pleasure of serving with, and a treasure of great experiences. As Chief I have strived to the best of my ability, to better the Department; with some success.

The Camden Fire Department is 121 years old this year. It is a great organization with a very proud history. It however, has always been important to understand that the Department does not belong to any of us who currently serve. It instead belongs to all the men who came before us; and all of those who will come after us. It is to them that we owe our efforts. We that currently serve are only interim caretakers of a living tradition; each of us having been given the privilege to earn a living while contributing to this institution we call Fire Department. In this spirit; and for this opportunity, I am both honored and grateful.

I wish to leave each of you a few words of advice. Beware of the slimeball tactics of individuals who choose to use the Department to improve their personal ambitions. They will not hesitate to jeopardize any of you; your reputation or your job security to achieve their selfish goals. Beware!

I wish everyone good health; happiness and the very best of everything. Most of all — Be Careful.

Sincerely,
John J. Mogck Jr.
Chief of Department–CFD