Col. Edwin J. Malikowski

Col. Edwin J. Malikowski, 102, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 2, 2022, with loving family at his side. Born at home in Chicopee on November 29, 1919, son of the late Jozef and Wiktorija (Zajac) Malikowski, he was a lifelong Chicopee resident. Colonel Malikowski entered military service with the MA National Guard on May 8, 1938, as a rifleman. In January 1941, he was called to active duty and served in the European Campaign as a platoon sergeant in the Anti-Tank Co., 104th Regiment, 26th Yankee Division, 3rd Army. During combat he was assigned to a platoon deactivating land mines and other explosive material. On February 22, 1945, he was given the rare honor of two battlefield commissions, the first to second lieutenant and later to the rank of first lieutenant. He was then assigned duty as a platoon leader. His combat record includes service in Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Germany and Central Europe. Following WWII, he served as maintenance officer in the Army Reserve until he was appointed motor vehicle maintenance officer in the 104th Fighter Group. During the Berlin Crisis he served as commander of the 104th Transportation Squadron. In August 1962, he became the commanding officer of the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. In June 1970, he was appointed Chief of Maintenance on the Air Technical Detachment. During this period, he also served on various military accident investigation boards and as project officer for several test programs and special exercises for USAF commands. Colonel Malikowski received the Silver Star medal and was awarded two Bronze Star medals, the Expert Combat Infantry badge, and numerous meritorius awards. His entire thirty-nine years of military service are highlighted with significant mission accomplishments. His unselfish devotion to duty and service to our nation and commonwealth reflect the highest credit on himself and the MA Air National Guard. He served in the Yankee Division Association, 104th ANG Alumni, and the National Order of Battlefield Commission. Edwin established Mal Brothers Auto Body & Welding Services with his three brothers in the summer of 1937 at the age of seventeen years. He would put his brothers to sleep by telling stories of how they would repair cars. The first garage was located on Springfield St. near his birth home. In 1964, Mal Brothers Auto Body moved to its current location on East Meadow St. in Chicopee. A faithful communicant of St. Stanislaus Basilica, Edwin served his parish as a member of its Holy Name Society. Edwin was predeceased in 2000 by his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Josephine (Kijak) Malikowski. He is survived by his loving children, Jeanne V. Malikowski, and Edwin J. Malikowski, Jr. and wife Anita, both of Chicopee; cherished granddaughters, Stephanie MacDougall and husband Phillip of Minnesota, and Amanda Malikowski of Chicopee; treasured great-grandson, Clark, and great-granddaughter, Millie; caring sister, Josephine Jagodowski of Chicopee; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Michaelina Malikowski and Stephanie Bardon, and brothers, Walter, John, and Theodore (who served in the Navy and was killed off Iwo Jima on February 21, 1945). Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial for Edwin on Thursday at 9:30AM in St. Stanislaus Basilica, 566 Front St., Chicopee, followed by committal services and burial with Military Honors in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus School, 534 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013 or the Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue., Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001.

Col. Edwin J. Malikowski

December 29, 1919 - July 2, 2022

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Col. Edwin J. Malikowski

December 29, 1919 - July 2, 2022

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