Balkiewicz, Adam J.

Adam J. Balkiewicz (1914 - 2005)
Mayor, police chief, fire chief, businessman, WW II veteran

Adam J. Balkiewicz, 91, of 15 N. White St., Shenandoah, former mayor, police chief and fire chief of Shenandoah, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005 at his home.
Born in Shenandoah, Sept. 3, 1914, he was the son of the late Adam and Monica Balkiewicz.
He was veteran of World War II.
Adam owned and operated a welding shop where he instructed and trained potential welders though government-sponsored programs during and after World War II. He was also a welding supervisor for Shen-Penn Stripping.
He was a supervisor for the Bureau of Elections of Schuylkill County and a state auditor who conducted school audits through the Attorney General's Office.
Adam was a member and officer of the Polish American Fire Co. for more than 70 years, a member and officer of the Shenandoah Fire Department, a member of the Schuylkill County Fireman's Association (instrumental in developing training programs for firefighters), a member of the Six-County Fireman's Association, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a charter member of the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce.
He also served as chairman of numerous charitable and civic organizations, including the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and associations to help fight cancer, cerebral palsy and others. He was co organizer of the Shenandoah Little League and Babe Ruth League (instrumental in securing heavy equipment to construct fields) and president of the Traveler's Protective Agency (TPA).
He was a member of St. Casimir's Church, Shenandoh. He was awarded and recognized for his work for the betterment of Shenandoah by the Shenandoah AMVETS, A.P. Damato Post, Chamber of Commerce, Polish American Fire Co. and Shenandoah Fire Department, all of Shenandoah; and the Police Chiefs' Association.
He was honored as grand marshal for the 2005 Shenandoah Heritage Day Parade in August of this year.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Mary Balkiewicz, in September 2003.
Surviving are sons, Bernard, at home; and Daniel and his wife, Elaine, Wyomissing; sisters, Helen Banis, Shenandoah; Laura Paige, Florida; and Gloria Choplick, Shenandoah; a brother-in-law, Tom Asenavage, Minersville; a sister-in-law, Florence Balkiewicz, Las Vegas; nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Shenandoah. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at St. Casimir's Church, Shenandoah. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 6 p.m. Monsignor Ronald Bocian will officiate.
Contributions may be made to St. Casimir's Memorial Fund.
Source: Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Oct. 20, 2005.

Former Shenandoah police chief notes 90th birthday
Adam Balkiewicz Shenandoah, is celebrating his 90th birthday today.
Born Sept. 3, 1914, he is the son of the late Adam and Monica Balkiewicz.
He was married to the former Mary Cieslukowski for 65 years until her death last September. He has two children, Bernie and Dan.
By trade, Adam was a welder but his heart was in being a fireman and a police officer.
He served as fire marshal and fire chief in the Shenandoah Fire Department and was president of the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association, and is a lifelong member of the Six County Firefighters Association As a charter member of the county association, he helped organize the Schuylkill County Fire School.
Adam served as Chief Burgess, Mayor and Police Chief of Shenandoah. He is a lifetime member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association, and has been a member of the Polish American Fire Company of Shenandoah for 70 years.
He enjoys watching the Phillies, Eagles, Penn State, and many other sporting events, along with national and local events, politics and the weather.
Source: Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Sept. 3, 2004