Difference between revisions of "Walter (Bud) Galuza"
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Because their house was large, it was often the place for large holiday gatherings, especially Easter, Bud and Blanche's anniversary. Blanche loved to have a houseful of guests. It was there that the grandchildren learned the concept of the "kids'" table(s). The main table was for the oldest adults. Then, the nearest next table was for the oldest children. There would continue to be additional tables for as many children, in descending ages until you ran out of children. Babies were fed on their mothers' laps at the adult table. As you got older, you would get promoted to the next table. | Because their house was large, it was often the place for large holiday gatherings, especially Easter, Bud and Blanche's anniversary. Blanche loved to have a houseful of guests. It was there that the grandchildren learned the concept of the "kids'" table(s). The main table was for the oldest adults. Then, the nearest next table was for the oldest children. There would continue to be additional tables for as many children, in descending ages until you ran out of children. Babies were fed on their mothers' laps at the adult table. As you got older, you would get promoted to the next table. | ||
| − | Because the house was so large, one of the rooms upstairs was used as Judy's playroom. Boys were not often allowed to play in there, because they were allowed to get rides on Uncle Bud's lumber truck (never the girls). However, every once in a while, a parent would come into Judy's playroom and ask to take a picture, like this one: [[File:Judysplayroom-c58.jpg|right | + | Because the house was so large, one of the rooms upstairs was used as Judy's playroom. Boys were not often allowed to play in there, because they were allowed to get rides on Uncle Bud's lumber truck (never the girls). However, every once in a while, a parent would come into Judy's playroom and ask to take a picture, like this one: [[File:Judysplayroom-c58.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Front row: Michael, Louise in center front. Second row: Judy, Kenny, unknown girl(friend of Judy's?), Juanita. Back row center, Linda.]]. |
==Author's Note== | ==Author's Note== | ||
Revision as of 22:41, 3 April 2015
| Wladislaw Walter (Bud) Galuza | |
| Nationality: |  American (Naturalized)
|
| Born: | May 25, 1908 Vilna, Poland (now Vilnius, Lithuania) |
| Died: | February 1, 2002 Topsham, Maine |
| Father: | Jeremiah Galuza |
| Mother: | Malwina Mazsimovich |
| Spouse: | Blanche Alice Gagnon |
| Married: | Easter, April 5, 1942 St. Rose of Lima RC Church Livermore Falls, Maine |
| Children: | Judith Ann Galuza (adopted) |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
| Residence: | Vilna, Poland Mexico, Maine xx, Maine Brunswick, Maine Topsham, Maine |
| Profession: | Ferrymaster Lumberjack Custodian |
Contents
Bud's Comes to the United States
On May 25, 1908 Vladimir Galuza (a.k.a. Walter “Bud”) was born in Vilna which was a part of Poland at that time. However, the town is now called Vilnius and is part of Lithuania. His mother’s name was Malwina Mazsimovich and his father’s name was Jeremiah Galuza.
NOTE: Please read Jeremiah's story - it is quite interesting. His leaving Poland was more of an escape.
Jeremiah Galuza had heard of opportunities in the United States, where many jobs could be had. Several people from his town in Poland had settled in a place called Mexico, Maine which was located on the Swift River and the Androscoggin River. At the time, the town had a paper mill and a brick mill always looking for hard-working employees to support their corporate growth objectives. Mexico, Maine was attracting many families from the same area in Poland, people who already knew each other, thereby reducing the anxiety of relocating half a world away and learning a new language, too. Jeremiah set out for Mexico, Maine sometime after 1908.
By the summer of 1913, Jeremiah had sent for his wife and children. When Bud was 5 years old, he, his mother and three other siblings emigrated to the United States. They left from Riga, Latvia on a freighter called the BREMEN or the BIRMA (the discrepancy may be a case of translation). When recounting the story as an adult later, he said it took 16 days and 16 nights to cross the ocean. It must have been quite a voyage! A freighter, not a luxury passenger liner, so the conditions must have been difficult. We do not have any information how they were fed or housed during the trip. Eventually, they reached the U.S. and were processed at Ellis Island, NY, and then they joined Jeremiah in Mexico, Maine, in whatever housing he had prepared for them.
Bud was eventually one of nine children, the rest of whom were born here in the United States. Bud was very close to his siblings. At some point between 1918 and 1920, Jeremiah and Malwina became citizens of the United States, granting citizenship at the same time at to all of their children not born in the United States.
Bud's Early Life - in Judy's Words
"When Dad’s family moved to a farm in Rumford, (the children) all went to a village school two miles away across the river. They used a ferry to get across. The town built a bridge a few miles up the river and sold the ferry and a house to my father for one dollar. Dad, and his brothers Albert and Francis moved into the house and ran the ferry. They charged twenty-five cents per car, or for a horse and buggy to cross. They did this for a few years. Adam and Francis then started a wood business. Dad had a team of horses that they used to haul the wood out of the forest with. When he went into the army, Mom sold the horses and Dad never forgave her. By this time, Albert and Francis were (also) off to the war. When Dad got back from the war, he went to work at Bath Iron Works in the Carpenter Shop. He never like working there and quit, and went back to cutting wood with his brothers Adam and Francis.
While Dad was away, Mom worked as a ship fitter at Bath Iron Works. When the war ended the women were laid off. After that Mom always worked in factories."
Bud's Education
Bud was a very smart man, but we are not sure why he elected not to complete more than one year of high school. Certainly, English was a second language for him, which could have held him back from completing grades at a normal age. But also, coming from a large family, by the time he reached the age of 18, he may have felt the need to help support the family. Bud grew into an extremely handsome man, possessing a rich, deep voice, and his trademark pencil thin moustache. We was very industrious and saved his money for a future he had not yet mapped out.
Blanche and Bud
Claudia, Bud's younger sister, went to work in Boston some time between 1934 and 1941. It was during this time that she became good friends with Blanche Alice Gagnon. Knowing her brother Bud as she did, Claudia thought the two would make a fine pair, so on one of their weekends home in late 1941, Claudia made sure that Blanche managed to meet her brother Bud. They hit it off immediately, because it was a short courtship. And apparently, the eleven year age difference between them was not an issue either.
It is a commonly known fact among Catholics that no weddings can be performed during Lent. This did not delay the engagement. The wedding was quickly planned, and since Bud's older brothers were not available for some reason, Blanche's brothers Bill and Albert were pressed into Best Man and Usher service. Bud and Blanche were married at the earliest moment after Lent (on Easter itself!). When they got married they moved into a 2nd floor apartment on Oak St. in Brunswick. By 1942, Bud's mother and father lived in a 3rd floor apartment in the same building in Brunswick, and had left the Rumford area.
- Click on the photos below to view a larger image:
Bud and Blanche, Easter, 1942.
Albert and Wendy the Bridesmaid.
Bud and Blanche, with Bud's mother, Milvina on the left, and Rosa on the right.
Blanche, ever the joker, convinced Bud to pose with one of their nieces.
Bud Joins the Army
Merely 6 months after marrying, and certainly after discussing it with Blanche, Bud presented himself to the Army Recruiter in Portland, Maine, and enlisted. Now Bud and Blanche understood the consequences of this decision, since both Bill and Albert had already left for the war. Despite his marital status and age (34), he was accepted into the Army, and almost immediately shipped out to the European theater, in Italy. Bud spent the war years in both Italy and in Northern Africa. Thankfully, he came home safely right around Christmas day in 1945, just about the same time as Bill and Albert did, much to the relief of Blanche and the entire family.
- Click on the photos below to view a larger image:
left|Bud's enlistment records indicating Bud enlisted only 6 months after the wedding.
Bud in 1942, just before shipping out to Italy.
Bud in WWII. Location unknown.
Blanche in 1943, we have no idea where she got the uniform.
Blanche during the war, while Bud was away.
After the War, A Beautiful Baby, and then a New House
After Bud came home, Blanche and Bud concentrated their efforts on starting a family. They tried unsuccessfully for several years. Finally, in 1950, they became aware of a baby being made available for adoption, and they leapt at the chance. They were thrilled to bring home a beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed baby girl that they named Judith Ann, who was only a few months old. Their family was now complete, and they poured their love on Judy, who became the light of their lives. After a few years, they purchased the house at 13 Hennessey Ave in Brunswick which was a large, 4 bedroom home, with a nice yard.
- Click on the photos below to view a larger image:
Judy, around 2 years old seems pretty upset about something.
Blanche, with Judy, Jeanne, Lorraine, and Rick at Bear Pond around 1955.
BBJ-c56.jpg|Blanche, Judy and Bud in their living room, around 1956.
The family often had picnics at Bear Pond. Judy's in the back row on right, in sweater. Around 1957.
Bud, Judy and Blanche at a family cookout, probably at one of Bud's brother's houses, around 1959.
Job Changes, Life Settles In
Cutting wood was back breaking work. Blanche got a job in the local shoe shop. On weekends, they would get together with Bud's sister Claudia and her husband Rocco (Rocky), or one or two of Bud's brothers and their wives. The get togethers were loud and raucous, with free flowing vodka, which suited the fun-loving Blanche quite well. On Sundays, they would go to church at St. John the Baptist RC church on Pleasant St in Brunswick, and then inevitably, scoot to Livermore Falls, for an expected visit at Blanche's parents. Rosa's controlling influence, in was felt by all of her children in one way or another. Certainly, if you lived close by, you were expected to visit regularly, or have a good excuse why not.
Because they were both employed, and only had one child, it was natural that they were a bit more affluent than the other siblings. These factors, combined with the fact that they were frugal, and utilized their resources intelligently, sometimes caused Blanche's less fortunate siblings to become envious. But Blanche and Bud did not try to show off - in fact, just the opposite. They would often visit and arrive with unsolicited gifts when they saw that childrens' basic needs were not being met (like winter coats that did not fit, or they would invite that family for a much needed meal and somehow there would be too many leftovers that would have to be taken home).
In the family, if Albert was the "fun" brother, Blanche was the "fun" sister. If there was a family celebration, you knew that Blanche was going to be there and have a great time, you'd be able to hear her laugh anywhere in the place. When the younger siblings began to get married and have children, Blanche and Bud were the #1 pick for Godparents.
Because their house was large, it was often the place for large holiday gatherings, especially Easter, Bud and Blanche's anniversary. Blanche loved to have a houseful of guests. It was there that the grandchildren learned the concept of the "kids'" table(s). The main table was for the oldest adults. Then, the nearest next table was for the oldest children. There would continue to be additional tables for as many children, in descending ages until you ran out of children. Babies were fed on their mothers' laps at the adult table. As you got older, you would get promoted to the next table.
Because the house was so large, one of the rooms upstairs was used as Judy's playroom. Boys were not often allowed to play in there, because they were allowed to get rides on Uncle Bud's lumber truck (never the girls). However, every once in a while, a parent would come into Judy's playroom and ask to take a picture, like this one:Author's Note
I remember in 1969, when Memere (Rosa) got married to Donat, I was 18 and had finally been promoted the adult table. However, Memere returned from her weekend honeymoon to Blanche's for Sunday dinner, and all of her children were there, and I (and several other cousins) got demoted back to the kid's table again! It was all about seniority! All of the adults laughed - don't get too big for your britches!
One thing that was always special about dinner at Aunt Blanche's house was real butter!! Everyone else in the family was buying margarine. I could not get enough butter, especially on Aunt Rita's homemade bread. I vowed then and there that when I grew up, no matter what else I had to scrimp on, I was never going to buy margarine.
Once in a Lifetime Vacation to Italy
In 1962, Rocky and Claudia convinced Bud and Blanche to take a vacation with them to Italy. It would be fabulous - they would see areas that Bud had defended during the war, visit the Vatican, visit Rocky's family and generally have a wonderful time. Bud and Blanche looked forward to it and made the arrangements. It was a long flight. When they arrived, there was a problem - their luggage had not arrived. For every day of their 3 week trip, they washed out their one outfit in the bathroom sink and left it out to dry, slept in the nude, and in all of their pictures they wore the same clothes. In fact, it wasn't until a few weeks after returning home that their luggage finally arrived safely at home.
Items to Add
Irene & Al visiting in Maine, Blanche went to work, Blanche left the food for Mom to cook, Bud was a lumberjack, he said where’s the rest of it, as soon as Blanche came home from work, he said make me some supper. Meal for Bud – fried fish, potatoes, vegetable
Generosity
Clam bake at Galuza's Rocky & Claudia Always the life of the party Dinner at Blanche's, kids table we had to sneak into Brunswick or upset Memere and incur her wrath Judy as a model Bud against women's lib Life goal - wanted to see millennium change - accomplished that gave boys rides on the lumberjack truck - NO girls, not even Judy good food, simple food
big laugh looked like Albert knew the Muskie family - would have been invited to the inaugural if he'd been elected always drove a Buick Aunt Blanche's favorite color Blue Only 3 blue-eyed kids Blanche, Ritaby, Bobby - they lived longest Most often selected Godparents in the family
