George Chester Wasilewski died peacefully on Oct. 18, 2013, at Silverado Senior Living in Bellingham at the age of 83, following a lengthy illness.
He was born Jan. 8, 1930, in Shamokin, Penn., to John and Julia Wasilewski. At the age of 17, George left school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
As a young sailor with extra time, he sought work in the community and met Harry Balda. He lived with Harry and Agnes and worked on the turkey farm and became very close with their children, Wes and Shelly.
The Navy transferred George to Kodiak, Alaska, and then to Alameda, Calif. In February of 1953, George was set up for a blind date and two months later he married his date, Doris Coleman, in Anacortes. George was sent to Pensacola, Hawaii, Moffett Field, Tennessee, Texas and finally to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in 1966, where George and Doris settled.
George retired in 1966 as an AMSC (E-7) with 20 years of military service. He then began work for Pacific Tow Boat/Foss Tug out of Anacortes and, in 1972, opened an electrical repair and rewind shop. He later moved into marine diesel engine maintenance and repair.
In 1973, George became affiliated with Skyline Marina and Development, serving as shop manager at the Marina. He eventually moved to the Board of Skyline and served as Board President and a share owner, retiring in 1991.
Following retirement, George continued working in property management and brokerage at Skyline until selling his interests in 2003. In 2011, George and Doris moved to Ferndale to be closer to family.
George was a life member and past president of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbor Masters, which was a very important part of his life. He was a past member of the North Whidbey Sportsman Association and the Knights of Columbus. George loved fishing, hunting, working, building furniture, camping and for a number of years, traveling the Western United States in a motor home. George was known for his red hat and always present toothpick, and he was known to his friends as “Smiling George” for his serious facial expressions. George and Doris celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past April.
George is survived by his wife Doris of Ferndale, Wash.; three children and their spouses, John and Gail Wasilewski of Bellingham, Wash., Denise and Garth Laverentz of Federal Way, Wash. and Craig and Julie Wasilewski of Lynden, Wash. George is also survived by sister Rosemary Peters of San Antonio, Texas, and brothers Alexander and Joseph Wasilewski of Coal Township, Penn. Seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren also survive.
He was preceded in death by nine siblings, Victoria Darkowski, Florence Romanoski, Dorothy Shearon and Theodore, Edward, Albert, Frank, Anna and Cecelia Wasilewski. Funeral Mass for George Wasilewski will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oak Harbor with Rev. Paul Pluth as Celebrant and Rev. Larry Bailey as Concelebrant. Military honors will be provided under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall.
In his final years, George was fortunate to have support of Visiting Nurses, Adult Day Health and Silverado Senior Living.
His family would like to extend a special thank you to the loving care provided by the thoughtful staff of Silverado Senior Living. Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences utilizing the Book of Memories hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com
