Walter (Bud) Galuza
| 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
- 1 Bud's Comes to the United States
- 2 Bud's Early Life - in Judy's Words
- 3 Bud's Education
- 4 Blanche and Bud
- 5 Bud Joins the Army
- 6 After the War, A Beautiful Baby, and then a New House
- 7 Irene Tries to Cook for Bud
- 8 Daily Life on Hennessey Avenue
- 9 The Protocol of Visiting Maine
- 10 Easter was Usually at Bud and Blanche's
- 11 Once in a Lifetime Vacation to Italy
- 12 Bud, An Honorable Man, with Strong Role Beliefs
- 13 Judy Grows Up and Her Parents are Proud
- 14 Blanche and the Color Blue
- 15 Items to Add
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
While Dad was away, Mom worked as a ship fitter at Bath Iron Works. When the war ended, all 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.
Irene Tries to Cook for Bud
Shortly after Albert and Irene were married in 1950, they visited Bud and Blanche. Now, remember, Irene did not yet know how to cook. Bud was wood cutter, and it was back breaking work. Blanche had gotten a job in the local shoe shop. Despite Al's visit, Blanche had to go to work, and she left Irene the food and instructions to cook food for Bud when he came home. Irene did her best, but her family's appetites were much smaller than Bud's. Bud used up a lot of energy every day, and required lots of calories. Irene made him a potato, a small piece of fish and a vegetable. Bud devoured it, and didn't say much, being too polite. When Blanche came home, he told her to cook something for him, he was starving. He explained what happened, and she chuckled. She thanked Irene, and told her next time, you have to cook more. Irene was naturally embarrassed, but learned a valuable lesson.
Daily Life on Hennessey Avenue
- 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.
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 homeIn 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 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.
The Protocol of Visiting Maine
Rosa's controlling influence 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. If you were visiting Maine from another state, you were expected to arrive first at Rosa's house, and certainly to stay at Rosa's house.
Sometimes Albert would drive in from Connecticut late on a Friday night, and Blanche's house was a shorter drive. Albert would like to stay at Blanche's on Friday nights, but he couldn't tell his mother he stayed at Blanche's, because she would get upset and jealous. It was fine when the kids were small, but as they got older, the chance that they would spill the beans was too great. Blanche understood, because she would incur her mother's displeasure if she did not show up on Sundays.
Easter was Usually at Bud and Blanche's
It was there that Rosa and Onesime's grandchildren learned the concept of the "kids'" table(s). The main table was always for the oldest adults. Then, the next table was for next oldest people. There would continue to be additional tables for as many as there were people, 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. Now, promotions to the adult table were not fixed in stone. They depended on who was there on that day.
(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 Aunt Blanche's for Sunday dinner, and all of her children were there. I and several other cousins, got demoted back to the kid's table again, as it was all about seniority! All of the adults laughed, and said, "Don't get too big for your britches!")
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.
Bud, An Honorable Man, with Strong Role Beliefs
Bud strongly believed that women should not drive cars. For this reason, Blanche never got her driver's license. When Judy came of driving age, she had a real fight on her hands. Bud was adamant. It was a good thing that Rocky and Claudia intervened and helped her to learn to drive and get her license. They even helped her select a car with the money she had diligently saved. Bud was not happy, but there was nothing to be done about it. Judy was now mobile and independent.
Judy Grows Up and Her Parents are Proud
Judy was a good student, a great saver, a hard worker and had an excellent sense of responsibility. She made friends easily, was popular, attractive, and even did some modeling briefly for a local department store.
- Click on the photos below to view a larger image:
Judy makes her confirmation, 1962 or 1963.
Juanita and Judy perched on Rosa's porch railing, around 1966.
Judy wins 1st prize in a model car racing tournament, 1967.
Blanche and the Color Blue
Blanche was one of the few of Rosa's children to have blue eyes. The other two were Rita and Bobby. And of all of the siblings, the blue-eyed ones were the last to pass away. Rita, at nearly 91, is still alive and very healthy and spry. Blanche's favorite color was definitely blue. Invariably, if she was wearing a dress, it was blue. She had several blue dresses. Rooms in her house were blue. Their car, (always a Buick) was blue. When she purchased a dress for Judy, it was often blue. It was a source of mild teasing. If she showed up in a different color, someone would probably ask, "Who are you, and what have you done with my sister Blanche?"
Items to Add
Clam bake at Galuza's Always the life of the party Life goal - wanted to see millennium change - accomplished that big laughknew the Muskie family - would have been invited to the inaugural if he'd been elected
