GINALSKI, Russel B.

Russel B. Ginalski, 71, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his Tampa home on February 7, 2022. Russel was born on October 15, 1950, in McKees Rocks, PA, to Benjamin and Margaret Lechman. At the age of 18, Russel joined the Navy and was stationed at 29 Palms in California. Two months after meeting and falling in love with Sandra Nielsen, he married her in 1972. They moved to several duty stations, including: Sasebo, Japan; Marine Corp USMC base in Barstow, CA; Long Beach Naval Station, CA; and Great Lakes Naval Station, IL.

After 24 years of service, Senior Chief Russel Ginalski retired from the Navy in 1992, settling down in Gurnee, IL, to focus on family and his business of purchasing, restoring, and selling antiques. He continued working for the next 20 years until he retired from the business in 2018. Russel had many hobbies to occupy his time, including golf, sporting clays, and playing cards – passions he eagerly shared with others.

Russel was predeceased by his parents and by his sister, Karen Kotsopodis. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Ginalski; his children, Jasen Ginalski, married to Colleen Doyle, and Heather Grein, married to Paul; his four grandchildren: William and Hannah Grein, and Finnegan and Maeve Ginalski; and his sister, Peggy (Russ) Maurer.

The family requests in lieu of flowers please donate to Moose Lodge 912, Interbay Tampa Fl or American Legion Post 0273, Madeira Beach, Fl. There will be a Catholic funeral mass held at MacDill AFB Chapel on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 10:00 AM. Fellowship to follow in Annex 2. The Ginalski family welcomes any and all stories, photos, and memories that Russel’s friends and family would like to share.