Bob Greenleaf Sr. is seen at the Pearl Harbor ceremony on December 7, 2016 alongside Mayor Brian Sullivan. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Sullivan’s office)
WESTFIELD – On Tuesday August 8, Mayor Brian Sullivan’s office will be hosting a ceremony for Westfield resident Bob Greenleaf Sr., who passed away on July 15 at age 94. The ceremony for the longest-surviving Pearl Harbor solider in the Whip City will take place at 2 p.m. at Kane & Wojtkiewicz Park, which is across from the Holy Trinity Church and behind the clock tower on Elm Street.
Until his passing, Greenleaf Sr. was the oldest Pearl Harbor survivor from Westfield. Greenleaf Sr. was a gunner’s mate on the island of Oahu on December 7, 1941 when they got attacked by Japanese aircraft who fired at American B 17’s.
Greenleaf started his military career by joining the U.S. Navy in 1940 and then was a part of the Merchant Marines from 1943-1952.
Greenleaf Sr.’s son, Bob Greenleaf Jr., is looking forward to the event that will honor his father.
“I’m very proud of what he did for the country,” said Greenleaf Jr. ““I’m looking forward to that (the ceremony), it should be a nice ceremony.”
Mayor Sullivan’s office has ordered a wreath that will be thrown over the bridge near the park and into the water. It is in honor of Greenleaf Sr., who would attend the Pearl Harbor ceremonies every year that the City of Westfield would organize.
Pearl Harbor survivor and Navy veteran Robert Greenleaf Sr. (Photo by Don Wielgus)
Mayor Sullivan is looking for the community to come out and honor Greenleaf Sr. for his dedication to serving his country.
“I hope that the community will come and show support for Robert,” said Sullivan. “He was just a great man, a really special guy and a hero.”
“It’s going to be pretty moving, we’re really looking forward to that,” said Rep. John Velis, who will be attending the event. “Every time I had the honor and privilege to talk to him, he was just someone who was so humble.”
Velis remembers this year’s past Memorial Day ceremony in Westfield when Greenleaf Sr. passed by him and they exchanged salutes.
“It literally brought a tear to my eye,” said Velis.
According to Mayor Sullivan’s office, all branches of the military will be represented at the ceremony, from the veteran’s organization in Westfield. Sen. Don Humason will also be present at the event.
