John J. Solesky

John J. Solesky, a recent resident of Pearl River (formerly Palisades) NY, passed away on January 31st, 2026 at the age of 101. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Eileen, who passed away on June 13, 2007 and his devoted daughter, Barbara, who passed away on January 13, 2015.

He was born March 27th, 1924, in the Spuyten Duyvel section of the Bronx where he was raised. John graduated from Dewitt Clinton High School and soon after entered into World War II becoming an Army Air Corps pilot. He was assigned to the 117th Troop Carrier Group in the Northwest Pacific where he flew C47 and C46 transport planes.

John returned home after the war and became a New York City firefighter. He was stationed at Engine Company 52 / Ladder Company 52 in the Bronx. Before retiring in 1986 after 32 years, he drove and operated a rear mount aerial ladder truck.

In his later years, John continued flying with experimental aircraft and belonged to the Experimental Aircraft Association for over 30 years. They restored and built many different types of aircraft. One of them was a 65 horsepower Aeronca Champ which he flew for over 20 years.

John has survived by his daughter, Janet and her husband Ken; his three sons, John Jr., James and his wife Joanne, and their daughter, Katie, Robert and his wife Pam.

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