Islanders celebrate a special birthday
It was standing room only at Cracker’s Caf in Bokeelia Tuesday, Aug. 30, as Islanders came to celebrate the 98th birthday of Guy Galinski.
“I wouldn’t have missed this party,” said Elena Holmes. “Everyone loves Guy, especially the ladies! There’s great barbecue and great music. It’s just a great day!”
Sitting beside gift bags and a stack of birthday cards, frequently interrupted by well wishers, Galinski talked about his life.
He was born in Wisconsin in 1913 and struck out on his own at age 16.
“I went to Kenosha and got a job at the Nash Motors plant there,” he said. “But that didn’t last long as the stock market crashed in October of 1929 and Nash soon laid off 1,600 workers. I was one of them.”
Galinski then headed further north, found work as a lumberjack and later drove lumber delivery trucks. This led to his learning carpentry, which became his profession.
“I was lucky to have always been able to do an honest day’s work,” he recalled.
Nowadays, Galinski is busy driving around the island, visiting friends and playing his harmonica.
“My driver’s license was just renewed! I play harmonica at two churches and occasionally with other musicians in one of our island establishments,” he said.
Galinski is already making plans for his 100th birthday.
“When I turned 90, I went skydiving. I want to do that again on my 100th,” he said. “Or maybe I’ll go hot air ballooning again, which I did in 1993 when I visited my daughter in Colorado. At my age, birthdays are for celebrating in a big way.”