James J. “Galky” Galkiewicz, 79, of Cambridge Springs, passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Pleasant Ridge Manor after a period of declining health. Galky was born on March 20, 1939, in Schenectady, N.Y., the son of the late John and Amelia Wojtowicz Galkiewicz.
After graduating from high school and serving four years in the US Air Force, Jim graduated from Alliance College with a degree in history. He continued to work at Alliance as a recruiter until 1973, when he began a career at General Electric in Erie, where he worked until retiring in 2000. Jim was a lifetime member of VFW Post 169, Venango, the Elks Club of Meadville, and also a lifetime member and past commander of American Legion Post 381, Cambridge Springs. Galky enjoyed hunting, walking, and solving crossword puzzles. He was a dedicated Steelers fan and a member of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by brothers: John and Bobby Galkiewicz; sister, Rose Crandall; daughter, Kim Mead; and son, David Mead.
Survivors include his wife, Sonja Bailey Galkiewicz, whom he married on May 28, 1972; son, Jeffery Mead and his wife, Beth of Nashville, Tenn.; daughter LeAnn Brzozowski and her husband, William, Jr. of Erie; daughter, Nicole Locke and her husband, Jason of North East; granddaughter, Jacklyn Knight and her husband, Kyle; granddaughter, Ashton King and her husband, Josh; grandson, Tyler Kljunich; granddaughter, Christina Kljunich; granddaughter, Eryn Brzozowski; granddaughter, Tenley Hall; grandson, Jagger Locke; two great-granddaughters; brother, Richard Galkiewicz and his wife, Joan of Florida; brother, Thomas Galkiewicz and his wife, Jan of Arkansas; brother David Galkiewicz and his wife, Joan of Scotia, N.Y.; sister, Joan Wickham and her husband, John of Scotia, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.