George V. Dzenkowski of Southold died on June 7 at home. He was 86 years old.
He was born on July 19, 1938, and grew up on the family farm in East Marion with his parents, Andrew and Apolonia Dzenkowski, and eight siblings. After graduating from Greenport High School in 1956, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, completing basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. He served with distinction as a corporal aboard various ships, traveling from the Mediterranean Sea to the Philippines and Japan.
He was a certified flight instructor for over 50 years and taught aviation and aeronautics at Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). He was widely regarded as one of the preeminent flight instructors on Long Island. Before teaching at BOCES, he worked at New York Telephone, Verizon, AT&T, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. After retiring, he continued as a substitute teacher in Southold schools. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics from Empire State University.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann; his children, Susan (Michael Langer) of Shoreham and Karen Lesko (Mark) of East Setauket; and his granddaughter, Abigail Langer. He was predeceased by his eight siblings.
After a private service, he was interred at Calverton National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the North Fork Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 297, Southold, NY 11971. DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold is serving the family.
