Obituary of Jack Galek

Jack Galek, 99 of Albany passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday morning. January 22, 2017 at his residence Jack was born September 15, 1917 in Chiechanow, Poland, an only child of Abraham Galek and Sharon Guziker. He is a survivor of Auschwitz concentration camp where his talent for tailoring kept him alive. After being liberated in 1945, he ended up going to Paris to live with his cousins. There he met his wife, Doris Perlmutter, who survived the Lodz Ghetto. They married in 1948 and in 1949; they sailed for The United States and were sponsored by his cousins, the late David and Pearl Bray. They had a daughter, Helene Galek and soon ran a successful business Kenmore Cleaners on North Allen St. Jack was active in Congregation Beth Emeth as a member of the Brotherhood, Couples Club and soup kitchen volunteer along with his wife. When he retired in the late 80's, he and his wife sat in on classes at SUNY, went on Jewish study retreats in the Catskills, and spent winters in Sarasota, Florida and loved visiting New York City. He was a history and politics buff and had a keen interest in language. Active until the end, Jack went peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Jan 22, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Doris, 87 and his daughter, Helene 62. Cousins include Arthur and Anna Bray ,Paul and Barbara Bray and Howard Bray, his nephew Greg Rozines and sister in law, Sylvia Rozines. A private ceremony will be held. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Congregation Beth Emeth and to The US Holocaust Memorial Museum.