Walter (Bud) Galuza

Vladislaw 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:	Milvina 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:
Profession:	Lumberjack Custodian

Bud's Childhood

On May 25, 1908 Vladislaw 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 Milvina Mazsimovich and his father’s name was Jeremiah Galuza.

September, 1913, when he was 5 years old, he, his mother and three older siblings emigrated to the United States. They left from Riga, Latvia on a freighter called THE BREMEN. 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 finally settled in Mexico, Maine.

We do not know if Jeremiah emigrated to the U.S. ahead of his family and then sent for them, but we suspect that is so. considering they already had the destination of Mexico, Maine in mind.

Bud was one of nine children, the rest of whom were born here in the United States. He was very close to his siblings. At some point, Jeremiah and Milvina became citizens of the United States, granting citizenship the same time at to all of their children not born in the United States.

Bud Buys a Ferry

Bud was presented an opportunity to purchase a ferry for $1.00, which he seized. He operated the ferry for several years, carrying people, cars, and bicycles back and forth across the river, industriously saving his money.

Industry

PFB Walter Galuza was in the Army and was in Italy and Africa from 1941 to 1945.

Bud Meets Blanche

My mother and father were introduced to each other by his sister Claudia and Rocco DeMonte. Rocco lived in Mexico, Maine and married Claudia. My mother and Aunt Claudia both worked in Boston together.