Harry R. Gorajewski

1923 - 2016

(News story) Harry R. Gorajewski, a lifelong Toledoan who grew up on Indiana Avenue in the Polish neighborhood of Kuschwantz and became a pigeon handler for the Army's Signal Pigeon Corps in Germany during World War II, died Saturday at Kingston Residence of Sylvania.

Mr. Gorajewski, 92, had been in failing health in recent weeks, his daughter, Candice McGrath, said. The cause of death was not given, she said.

Mr. Gorajewski raised pigeons as a child and later raised tropical fish.

Beginning in World War I and continuing into the Second World War, the Army Pigeon Service, or Signal Pigeon Corps, trained and used homing pigeons for communication and reconnaissance on the battlefield.

In January, 1943, a representative from the War Department, as it was then called, came to Toledo to accept 1,500 birds to be used by the signal corps for breeding, a newspaper report stated. At that time, Toledo had at least five clubs for pigeon fanciers, according to news articles.

Mr. Gorajewski was born June 19, 1923, in Toledo, the oldest of five children of Anthony and Anna Gorajewski.

He graduated from Scott High School, and in 1943, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to serve in the Rhineland campaign in Germany and in Central Europe.

Mrs. McGrath said her father did not see direct action while handling the birds, but "could see the fighting" from where he was stationed.

His duties included sending and receiving pigeons that carried messages to and from the front lines, she said.

In his position, he also was assigned a Jeep on which he painted his name and the name of his girlfriend, and eventual wife, Emily Strance.

"He was really proud that he had his own Jeep," his daughter said, adding that he also was proud "about being in the service" for his country.

After the war, he returned to Toledo and to his job at Willys-Overland Motors Inc., which built the Jeep.

He began as a welder at the Jeep plant, and in 1981, at age 58, he retired as an inspector after 40 years of service.

"I think it was the only place he worked his entire life," Mrs. McGrath said.

He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service, as well as various campaign ribbons and medals, his daughter said.

He knew Emily from growing up but didn't get close to her until the war, when she began corresponding with him, Mrs. McGrath said. They married in August, 1946, shortly after his discharge from the Army. She died June 30, 2014.

After the war, he began raising tropical fish and eventually had six large aquariums in his basement. His interest led him to join like-minded individuals in a club that met at the Toledo Zoo's aquarium building, his daughter said.

"That was his next venture after the pigeons," she said, adding that his interest in the birds tapered off after his Army service.

In retirement he maintained a large-scale garden at his home on Sylvania Avenue in West Toledo.

Mr. Gorajewski is survived by a daughter, Candice McGrath; a son, Robert Gorajewski; a granddaughter; a great grandson, and a sister, Theresa Daugherty.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd. His funeral will be at 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home and continue with a 10 a.m. Mass at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where he was a longtime member.

Memorial contributions are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice.

This is a news story by Jim Sielicki. Contact him at jsielicki@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.