John Alexander Rogalski

Mr. John Alexander Rogalski, 84, of Ocean Springs, MS, died Saturday, January 22, 2011, in Ocean Springs. John was born September 6, 1926 in Staten Island, New York to John and Stephanie Alexandra Rogalski. He entered the U. S. Navy and served in the Amphibious Assault Force in 1944, at the age of 17, and fought in North Africa until the end of WW II. After the war he was elected as the New York State Democratic Vice Chairman. He also served on the National Democratic Committee to elect Harry S. Truman in 1948 and the committee to elect William "Bill" O'Dwyer as New York Mayor in 1943. O'Dwyer was re-elected and later became the United States Ambassador to Mexico. He also was a charter member of the Staten Island Civil Council who championed the rights of veterans and Staten Island residents. In 1950 he married Inez Mae Manning and also became a civil service instructor at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi where he taught officers. He retired from this position in 1986. He was president of the United Service Organization (USO) on Biloxi Beach for two years, 1968 and 1969. He was a lifetime member of the Lyman C. Bradford Post of the V.F.W. and was its commander from 1993 to 1994. He was a service volunteer for the Biloxi Veterans for over twelve years. As a longtime member of St. Michael Catholic Church he served as a lector, eucharistic minister, usher, sang in the choir, and was an active voice on the parish council. He also served on the Blessing of the Fleet Committee. John Rogalski is survived by his wife, Thelma Langlinais Rogalski of Ocean Springs; son and his wife, John Paul and Wendi Rogalski of Murfreesboro, TN; step-daughter, Barbara Reece of Port Orange, FL; and step-son and his wife, Harry James and Helena Pelous of D'Iberville; seven step-grandchildren, Ricky Pelous, Randall Pelous, Randy Reece, Jackie Sue Burger, Lisa Wells, Daniel Rowell and Aaron Rowell; and fifteen step-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family request that donation be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 177 1st St. Biloxi, MS 39530. Visitation is Tuesday, January 25, 2011, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michaels Catholic Church where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors.