Walter S. SobusiakBucks County Courier Times June 14, 2006
Walter S. Sobusiak, 85, of Croydon and a survivor of Pearl Harbor, died June 12, 2006 in Frankford-Torresdale Hospital following a lengthy illness.
He was born May 15, 1921 in Phila-delphia, the son of the late Andrew Sobusiak and the former Steffie Barrowich. He was educated in Philadelphia schools and enlisted in the Army Air Force at the age of 18. He was stationed with the 3508th AAF at Hickam Field at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese invaded on Dec. 7, 1941. His heroism was recognized by several military honors which included the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, two Bronze Stars, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for bravery during the Battle of Midway for his rescue of two airmen from a burning plane. Following his service at Pearl Harbor, Walter went on to serve with the 7th Air Force on the island of Kauai. He also served in the Philippine Islands Campaign and Central Pacific Campaign. Following his discharge from military service, he worked at Thule Air Force Base in Greenland.
Walter loved working and building. Up until he took ill earlier this year, he continued working on construction projects at his home in Croydon and his summer home in Sea Breeze, N.J. Walter was a skilled carpenter and built both homes himself. He was hardly ever without a hammer in his hand.
Upon his retirement, Walter and his late wife, the former Alice Wasielewski, spent their winters in their motor home at Big Pine Key in Florida where Walter was a volunteer at St. Peter's Church. His joys in life were his wife, his family and his work.
He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Croydon; St. Pius XII Council Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Fourth Degree Council Bishop Neuman Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors' Association Liberty Bell Chapter No. 1; Carpenter's Local 1462 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1597, Croydon.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, to whom he was married for 43 years; brothers, Leo, Thomas and John; sister, Mary.
Surviving are his daughter, Adele Sobusiak, Croydon; son, Robert Sobusiak and wife, Regina, Bristol; grandsons, Thomas Sobusiak and his wife, Nadine, Newtown; Michael Sobusiak, Bristol; and nephews and nieces.
Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Friday, June 16th from 7-9 p.m. and again on Saturday, June 17th from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Molden Funeral Chapel, 133 Otter St., Bristol, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Croydon at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Mark's Cemetery, Bristol.