Edward G. "Whitey" Plecinoga, 83
March 3, 1938 - May 6, 2021
Salem- Edward George "Whitey" Plecinoga, 83, of Salem, passed away Thursday morning, May 6, 2021 at his home. He was the husband of Barbara (Simard) Plecinoga of Salem.
Born in Salem, MA, Whitey attended Salem High School and was a member of the Polish Legion of American Veterans Drum and Bugle Corp where he met and fell in love with Barbara on first sight. That day he told his good friend “I’m going to marry that girl." They soon became an item. After graduating from Salem High School and feeling that he was a bit too young to marry, Whitey joined the U.S. Air Force where he served his country honorably during the Vietnam War. A few years later, Whitey returned home to Salem with his new bride in tow and together they shared 62 years of marriage and while they weathered some storms they mostly relished in calm seas together. He attended Wentworth Institute of Technology before starting a long career with the former Sylvania Electric on Loring Ave Salem.
Whitey was a very talented artist and craftsman working in many mediums over the years from wood to paint to stained glass. He remained a “fix it” man despite so many things in his world becoming disposable. Raised to love and respect the ocean he was strongly driven to fulfill his father's unrealized dreams and did so. He grew into a passionate avid sailor and in turn blessed his family with the lifetime gift of adventurous memories of sailing the coast of New England and beyond. He was an old salt who could burst out in song or sea shanty at any moment often without warning. Whitey was a life member of both the Salem Willows Yacht Club and the Palmer's Cove Yacht Club. He was a Past Commodore and Past Treasurer of SWYC and was active in both clubs. Edward was a talented musician and played in numerous bands throughout his life. For 25 years every Tuesday, Whitey would visit the Chelsea Soldier's Home and play for the residents with whom he felt a very special kinship. He most certainly loved the liver and onions they served there too!
He was the definition of a family man and a true and loving husband. “Georgie” as his mother called him was also the perfect example of a loving, reliable and attentive son, helping his mother at every turn from the day she was widowed to the day she passed. To him, doing so was not only his duty, but also his pleasure (mostly). A wonderful father and enthusiastic grandfather he taught his children and grandchildren many things and always did so with patience and grace. “Georgie” was also dedicated to his role of big brother and maintained a lifelong connection with his inner child by teasing his baby sister from age 8 to 83. Above all else he loved unconditionally and was good at it. While he will be greatly missed by the countless lives he touched we can all take comfort that he is back in the arms of his mother and father.
Surviving him, along with his loving wife, Barbara (Simard) Plecinoga of Salem, are their four sons; Mark Plecinoga and his wife Karen of Westwood, MA, Matthew Plecinoga of Salem, Michael Plecinoga of Salem, and Marty Plecinoga of Beverly; Four grandchildren, Kaitlin, Evan, Luke, and Grace Plecinoga, and his dear sister Marijane Plecinoga of Salem.
Visiting hours and burial with military honors in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem will be private. A celebration of Whitey's life will be held at Palmer's Cove Yacht Club at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Chelsea Soldier's Home, 91 Crest Avenue, Chelsea, MA, 02150. To send a condolence to the family please comment below.
Click below to watch Whitey’s Memorial Video.