William Galka

William Galka, 83, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in University Hospital, Newark, NJ.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ on Thursday, October 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will begin in the funeral home on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

Born in Newark, Bill was a lifelong resident of Kearny. He was a 1960 graduate of Kearny Hight School. Mr. Galka worked his entire life in Kearny. Starting at a young age, he worked at Les’s Deli in Kearny which was owned by his father. He later worked for the United Staes Postal Service as a Letter Carrier in Kearny for thirty-five years. After retiring, from the Post Office, he continued to work for the next fourteen years for the for the Kearny Department of Health’s Meals on Wheels program. Bill was a Kearny Little League coach for several years with Kearny Shop Rite.

Mr. Galka was an avid sports fan. He was an excellent bowler and loved bowling at the Bowl-O-Drome in North Arlington, he loved playing pool and was a champion shuffleboard player at the Scots American Athletic Club in Kearny, where he was a member for many years. He enjoyed tailgating and going to Cosmos games with his children at Giant Stadium in the 1970’s and 80’s. He was a fan of the New York Yankee’s and the Dallas Cowboys. He also attended most Kearny High School soccer games until his health started to suffer.

Bill was a devoutly religious man with integrity, dignity, honesty and gratitude. He was very faithful to his wife and his church. He was always good company to others. He enjoyed a good laugh and spending time with family and friends. He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie (Calabrese) Galka, two sons, William Galka (Patricia), Stephen Galka, one daughter, Christine D’Alessandro (Vito), one stepson, William Hannon, III, one sister, Alice McGuire (Marty), and two grandchildren, Raul & Stephen Queiruga. He was the step grandfather of Lorena (Phil) and Billy and Brian and step-great-grandfather of Jeramiah. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased by his brother Johnny Galka.

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