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1950 - 2025

BORN

1950

DIED

2025

Gregory Zelinski Obituary

Gregory Zelinski

January 27, 1950 - April 16, 2025

Master Sergeant (MSgt) Gregory Paul Zelinski (Ski) United States Air Force, Retired, passed away on April 16th, 2025, at the Orlando Veteran Administration Medical Center following a courageous two-year cancer battle. Greg was born on January 27th, 1950, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Henry and Charlotte (nee Livingston) Zelinski. Greg graduated from Weyerhaeuser High School in 1968 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1969. Greg served tours in Vietnam and Korea before being assigned RAF Alconbury, England where he raised his girls Wendy, Melanie, and Megan. Greg continued his service in Wiesbaden and Zweibrucken, Germany before returning to England to finish out his military career, which included twenty years overseas with seventeen of those years being with Defense Mapping Agency Operation Europe. Greg was honorably discharged following 24 years of dedicated service in April 1993.

Greg's military education included Defense Regional Interservice Support Training and Mapping, Charting, and Geodesy Impact on Combat Operations Training prior to deploying during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Greg's numerous awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and two oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Greg enjoyed retirement traveling back to England and Germany, or Japan (wherever his daughter Wendy was stationed) and later spending winters in Florida but always returned home to Weyerhaeuser, warming a stool at Porky's, and watching the Packers play. Greg knew his way around the BBQ, drawing from his world travels for inspiration, and always had enough to share. He passed his love of cooking on to his grandkids, teaching them about farming, filling the freezer with former "pets" and making his own salsa.

Greg is survived by his daughters: Wendy Traylor, CMSgt, USAF, retired (Kevin Lord, CMSgt, USAF, retired), Melanie Tatro, and Megan Garcia. His grandchildren: Danielle Lord, SSgt., USAF, Veteran (Melissa Lord, MSgt., USAF), Calebb Traylor, SSgt., USAF, Sierra Neal (Richard Neal, TSgt., USAF), Gabriel Lord, Ivy Zelinski, Kimberlee Armstrong, Chase Armstrong, Spencer Torres, Erin Torres (Dallas Schauer), Charlotte Torres, and Great-grandchildren: Leila Lord, Raiden Neal, Ameerah and Zion Henderson, Jude Hewitt and Phoebee Hart. His brothers and sisters: Trudy (Arnold) Koehler, Robert Zelinski, Richard (Cynthia) Zelinski, Virginia (John) Volkman, Jean Zelinski, and Sharon Zelinski, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and Friends will gather to celebrate Greg's life and legacy at Porky's on May 23rd from 2-6pm.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Leader Telegram from May 21 to May 23, 2025.

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