Robert P. Olesiewicz
Robert Paul Olesiewicz served the City of Camden as a firefighter, reporting for duty on January 1, 1951 and retiring as a Captain on March 1, 1980. Born in Camden on August 10, 1919 to Zygmunt Olesiewicz and his wife, the former Sophie Peplowski, he grew up in Camden's then predominantly Polish Whitman Park neighborhood. His father had come to America from Poland in 1913. The family was living with Zygmunt Olesiewicz's brother Joseph at 1008 Mechanic Street when the census was taken in January of 1920.
The 1924 and 1929 Camden City Directories show the family at 1418 South 10th Street, a short walk from St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. His parents would still be in this home as late as October of 1970.
Robert Olesiewicz had married Anna Marie Whittaker and was working as an electrician when he was inducted into the United States Army on February 26, 1942. Returning to Camden after his service, the 1947 Camden City Directory shows him living with his wife Anna at 321 Mount Vernon Street. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 20, 1950 and reported for duty on January 1, 1951. He was promoted to Captain on February 1, 1966.
By 1970 he and his family had moved to 1194 Morton Street. His wife Anna passed away on June 5, 1973. Tragedy struck again on August 27, 1982 when his daughter Anna Marie Olesiewicz was murdered by Richard Biegenwald, who was tried and sentenced to death for the crime; he was later permitted to die in prison by order of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Robert P. Olesiewicz retired from the Camden Fire Department on March 1, 1980. He passed away on March 18, 1983.
Fire Watch Magazine — In Recognition of Service
The men listed below, recognized in the Spring 1977 issue of Fire Watch Magazine (Camden Fire Department), had service anniversary dates falling during the first quarter. Captain Robert P. Olesiewicz was among them, honored for 26 years of service:
- Fr. Howard G. Brickner #5 — 26 Years
- Fr. Harvey J. Fisher #186 — 26 Years
- Capt. James W. Smith — 26 Years
- Dep. Chf. Anthony C. Saponare — 35 Years
- Fr. Andrew H. Foreman #183 — 26 Years
- Fr. William J. Stibi #120 — 26 Years
- Batt. Chf. Robert E. Dukes — 30 Years
- Fr. Henry S. Keubler #34 — 26 Years
- Fr. William M. Stone #29 — 26 Years
- Insp. Fr. George C. Hennessy #21 — 30 Years
- Fr. Joseph J. Lesniewski #50 — 26 Years
- Capt. William G. Winstanley — 26 Years
- Dep. Chf. Daniel F. Jiannetto — 30 Years
- Fr. Phillip MacDonald #71 — 26 Years
- Fr. Adolph S. Zubrzycki #62 — 26 Years
- Dep. Chf. Theodore L. Primas — 30 Years
- Fr. Joseph J. McTaggart #26 — 26 Years
- Batt. Chf. John J. Giuliano — 21 Years
- Fr. Eugene F. Alston #7 — 29 Years
- Batt. Chf. John J. Mogck — 26 Years
- Insp. Fr. Alfred D. Nigro #76 — 21 Years
- Batt. Chf. Biaggio P. Ardire — 29 Years
- Capt. John E. Moore — 26 Years
- Fr. Leon Puszczykowski #100 — 21 Years
- Fr. William R. Harring #69 — 29 Years
- Capt. Robert P. Olesiewicz — 26 Years
- Fr. John L. Sterner #73 — 21 Years
- Fr. William E. Hinch #151 — 29 Years
- Capt. Anthony T. Orme — 26 Years
- Fr. Francis P. Stibi #143 — 21 Years
- Capt. Herbert J. Schott — 28 Years
- Fr. Ralph H. Palmer #46 — 26 Years
- Fr. Carl R. Szalkowski #95 — 21 Years
- Batt. Chf. Charles A. Bates — 26 Years
Fire Department Record Card
Tag: robert-p-olesiewicz
10th Street
City directory records and newspaper accounts for 10th Street, one of Camden’s longest thoroughfares, running from State Street in North Camden through Cramer Hill and Whitman Park to Morgan Village, 1870s–1970s.
Retirement Letter from Chief John J. Mogck Jr.
On his retirement, Chief John J. Mogck Jr. wrote a farewell letter to the Camden Fire Department, retiring alongside Captains John DiMaggio, Robert Olesiewicz and Anthony Orme and firefighters Philip MacDonald and William Stone after 39 years in the 1st Battalion.
City Honors Firefighters Retiring after 38 Years
Camden Courier-Post - September 29, 1989 By SEAN McKINNEY, Courier-Post Staff CAMDEN — It was the end of an era. The city council honored six of its oldest firefighters yesterday, three days before they were set to retire.
New Captain Named
Robert Olesiewicz, 47, was promoted from fireman to captain and assigned to Ladder Company 1 as Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman swore in seven new Camden firemen.
Firemen Here Get Advanced First Aid Course
More than 40 members of the Camden Fire Department — Rescue Squad, Headquarters, Truck and Engine company men housed at fire headquarters — completed the Red Cross advanced first aid course. Robert Olesiewicz was among the graduates.
Woman Gas Victim Saved by Camden Rescue Squad
The hour-long effort of a fire department rescue squad saved Mrs. Florence Marshall, 46, of 330 North Tenth street, who had locked herself in the bathroom and turned on a gas jet.
37 Camden Men Pass Tests for City Firemen
Thirty-seven candidates passed the Civil Service test for Camden firefighter in December 1949 — among them brothers Santo and John DiMaggio of 319 Beckett Street.
Delikat Stars on Mound As Mates Gain 7-1 Win
Al Delikat held the East Side entry to two hits as St. Joseph's Polish A.C.C. won 7–1 in the Aaron Twilight League. Bob Olesiewicz doubled and singled to lead the offense.
Catholic High Has Plenty At Stake in Series Finale
A preview of the City Series finale between Camden Catholic and Camden High. Catholic's Bob Olesiewicz, with 37 points in three games, stood within striking range of Woodrow Wilson scoring leader Ray Dixon's 40.
'Y' Varsity Conquers Coaches
The Camden Y.M.C.A. varsity beat the South Jersey Coaches 55–51; in the preliminary game, Bob Olesiewicz led Camden Catholic High past the Y.M.C.A. Limited Seniors, 35–27, scoring 16 points.