Walter V. Zaleskie

Walter V. Zaleskie, 90, formerly of Lititz, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, at Maple Farm Nursing Center in Akron. Born in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late Walter G. & Anna E. (Cronan) Zaleskie. Walter was also the loving husband of Mary A. (Malich) Zaleskie for 59 years until her passing in 2017.

Walter was a 1952 graduate of Cliffside Park High School in New Jersey. Walter served his country as an Army Private in the 4th Infantry Division where he met Mary on military leave in Yugoslavia. As a young husband and father, he pursued furthering his education and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Walter moved his family to Pennsylvania in the 70’s where he started working for Rutt Kitchens as a controller. He founded Cliffside Industries in 1987, growing the business to be worldwide, and maintained his company’s presence in the home hardware industry for 33 years until his retirement in 2019. Walter was very passionate in the Catholic Faith and supporting Catholic education. He was a long-time member of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (OMPH) and was honored to be the official “Grandfather of the OMPH School”. Walter was an avid Hershey Bears Hockey fan and held season tickets since 2005. His love and support for his family, friends, and community will be deeply missed.

Walter is survived by two daughters, Ellen M. (Anthony A.) Daulerio of Tabernacle, New Jersey & Teresa A. (Duane E.) Hartman of Ephrata; a brother-in-law, Bro. John Malich, FMS, of Esopus, New York; and his adopted grandchildren from the OMPH School.

A Viewing will be held on Thursday, September 19th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gravenor Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre, Inc., at 100 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522. A visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20th, at OMPH Catholic Church, 320 Church Avenue, Ephrata, PA 17522. Walter’s final resting place will be at Lititz Moravian Cemetery.

To honor Walter’s support of Catholic Education, those who desire may make memorial donations to the Fund for OMPH School, 330 Church Avenue, Ephrata, PA 17522.