Charles Skalaski

Charles Skalaski, who was sworn in as a Coral Gables police officer in 1949 and almost four decades later was named the department’s chief, died Nov. 8 of Parkinson’s disease.

He was 85.

“He was the great spirit of Coral Gables. I remember him for his spirit and enthusiasm,” said former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick. “The chief made people feel he was close to the community.”

Skalaski was born March 1, 1927 in Bridgeton, N.J. He came to the University of Miami where he played in the 1946 Orange Bowl — which the Canes won against Holy Cross.

For seven years, Officer Skalaski taught driver’s education and coached at Gulliver Academy in his spare time.