WORCESTER and SOUTH HADLEY____Lt. Colonel Edward J. Seilius, USAF Retired, 80, of Worcester and South Hadley, died Friday March 7, 2008 in Worcester.
He leaves a sister, Anne M. Seilius of Worcester and several nephews and nieces. A brother, Lt. Colonel Albin R. “Al” Seilius, USAF Retired and a sister, Mary Staney died before him. He was born in Worcester, a son of Ralph and Martha (Mortunas) Seilius.
Edward was educated in Worcester receiving his early education at St. Casimir School. He graduated from Commerce High School and Becker Junior College, both in Worcester.
He began his military career with the U.S. Navy serving as a yeoman during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War and served in New York, Japan and Delaware and was discharged as a technical sergeant in 1955. He then joined the Air Force Reserve unit at Worcester Municipal Airport and later became a technician at Hanscom Field. Lt. Colonel Seilius was commissioned in 1961 and served at Grenier Field, N.H. and then Hanscom Field until 1973 when he was transferred to Westover Field as chief of CBPO. While there he was instrumental in the formation of the 439th Tactical Air Wing. He retired in 1985.
Lt. Colonel Seilius was a member of St. Casimir Church, Worcester.
The funeral will be held on Friday March 14 from DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton Street, Worcester with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Casimir Church, 41 Providence Street, Worcester. Burial with military honors will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. A calling hour will be held in the funeral home on Friday March 14 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be may to the South Hadley Council on Aging, 45 Dayton Street, South Hadley, MA 01075 or to St. Casimir Church Building Fund, 41 Providence Street, Worcester, MA 01604.