TOPSHAM — Kazimierz “Ski” John Szczepanski, 93, of The Highlands, died peacefully, with his family by his side, on March 21.
He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on Feb. 25, 1922, a son of Adam Szczespanski and Katherine Rogowoki. He attended Trenton schools and earned a GED.
In 1942, amid World War II, Szczepanski joined the U.S. Navy and flew in naval blimps. In 1943, he completed gunnery school and saw combat as a tail gunner on a Liberator B-24.
After the war, Szczepanski continued his naval career, attending the Navy’s catapult school and becoming a plank owner on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. In 1953, he undertook further blimp training and was transferred to Brunswick Naval Air Station, where he made the rank of senior chief.
While stationed in Brunswick, he met Amilda “Millie” Comeau, and the couple was married on March 15, 1956. They moved to Bath, where they raised their family.
In 1967, Szczepanski became a full lieutenant, and retired in 1973 after 30 years of service. Following his military service, he continued to advance his education, receiving his B.A. degree from New Hampshire College in 1978. He went on to work as a real estate agent and a tax preparer.
Szczepanski was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 58 years, Millie; a brother, Henry Szczepanski; a grandson, Kyle John Szczepanski; and a great-granddaughter, Chloe Douglas.
He is survived by a sister, Irene Helsel, of New Jersey; his five children, John E Szczepanski and wife, Kara, of West Bath, Charles Douglas and wife, Pauline, of Lewiston, Gregory Douglas and wife, Sara, of Dyer Brook, Gordon Douglas and wife, Alison, of New Hampshire, and Terri Barris, of Westbrook; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial was held March 28 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, All Saints Parish, in Bath.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bath Masonic Lodge Building Fund, P.O. Box 274, Bath, ME 04530, or to the Bath VFW, P.O. Box 725, Bath, ME 04530.
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