On Sunday, June 15, 2025 (Father’s Day), George Joseph Sedlak, age 82, passed away surrounded by his
family at Holyoke Medical Center. George was born November 1, 1942 in Holyoke to the late George
Charles Sedlak and Josephine (Zajchowski) Sedlak and enjoyed growing up in the Flats section of the city. He graduated from Holyoke High School in 1960 and served in the U.S. Army and National Guard. George worked at U.S. Tsubaki, formerly Acme Chain, retiring from his role as a production planner after more than forty years. Outside of work, George was a 55-year life member of the Chicopee Elks #1849 and past Elk of the Year. He played American Legion baseball after high school, and enjoyed bowling, basketball, and softball, participating with the Acme Chain teams in the 1960s. He was an avid follower of the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics, even during the years when they were “a bunch of bums”. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and gardening, and he especially loved sharing the bounty from his backyard.
George was devoted to Charlene, his wife of 58 years, who passed away on January 6 of this year. They
met in Holyoke while he was bowling with his brother and she was bowling with her best friend. Soon
after, George joined the National Guard, sending love letters to Charlene nearly every day he was in basic training. Once they were married, George and Charlene built a house in the Aldenville
neighborhood of Chicopee and raised three children, Kenneth, Karen, and James. In the summer they
enjoyed vacationing at Cape Cod, where George fully relaxed, one year returning home with what would
become his trademark mustache. As a father, George supported his children by coaching, volunteering with their Boy Scout troops, and attending sporting events and dance recitals. He will be fondly remembered for giving his children every opportunity to explore their interests.
George leaves behind his two sons, Kenneth Sedlak and his wife Lynn of Avon, CT and James Sedlak and
his wife Melissa of Springfield; one daughter, Karen Kisiel and her husband Mark of Chicopee; four
grandchildren, Michael Sedlak, Kyle Kisiel, Shaye Kisiel, and Matthew Kisiel; sister-in-law Lorna-Rae Watts and her husband Greg Blackmer; and sister-in-law Susan Watts. He was predeceased by his parents George and Josephine, brother Wayne Sedlak and sister-in-law Nancy (Tucker) Sedlak, and brother-in-law Phillippe Watts.
Visitation will be held on the morning of the funeral, Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at
Grise Funeral Home in Chicopee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose de Lima Church
in Aldenville at 11:30 AM and George and Charlene will be interred together at St. Rose de Lima
Cemetery following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose de
Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com.