Historical Society to present WWII program on Gelpke twins

The Canton Historical Society will host an extraordinary presentation by noted aviation historian Jerry O’Neill on Sunday, May 31, at 1:30 p.m. at 1400 Washington Street. The program will explore the lives and wartime experiences of Robert and Roy Gelpke, twin brothers who both served as pilots during World War II.

The official Army photograph of Robert and Roy Gelpke (Courtesy of Leslie Larusso)

At the heart of the presentation is a newly donated collection of personal wartime artifacts belonging to the Gelpke brothers — objects that carry not only the weight of history, but the emotional imprint of two young men swept into one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century. The collection, recently donated by O’Neill to the Canton Historical Society, will be displayed publicly in Canton for the first time.

Jerry O’Neill is a highly respected New England-based aviation historian, author, photographer, and air show operations specialist. He serves as a board member, researcher, and historian with the Connecticut Air & Space Center, where he specializes in the history of the F4U Corsair and regional aviation heritage.

But this presentation reaches far beyond aircraft and military hardware. It is, at its core, a story about family, memory, and the human cost of war.

The experiences of the Gelpke twins echo themes long woven into Canton’s own historical narrative. In earlier research published through the Canton Historical Society’s “True Tales” series, local stories revealed how Thanksgiving tables sat empty during wartime, how telegrams transformed ordinary afternoons into moments of grief, and how communities carried both pride and heartbreak simultaneously. Another account examined New England’s complicated relationship with remembrance and mourning, reflecting on the National Day of Mourning and the layered truths often hidden beneath familiar American traditions.

“These are not distant stories frozen behind museum glass,” noted Paul Buckley, Historical Society board member. “They are intensely human stories. They remind us that war is experienced one family at a time, one letter at a time, one missing seat at the table at a time.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to see original wartime artifacts, photographs, and personal effects connected to the Gelpke brothers while hearing O’Neill provide historical context and insight into their service as pilots during World War II. The presentation is expected to offer a moving and intimate portrait of courage, loss, patriotism, and remembrance.

Founded in 1898, the Canton Historical Society preserves and interprets more than three centuries of local history, with collections spanning the late 1600s through the present day. The society’s holdings include significant material related to industry, military service, transportation, and everyday life in Canton.

The program is open to the public. Donations and new memberships are encouraged to support the society’s ongoing mission of preservation, education, and public engagement. For more information, visit cantonhistorical.org or the society’s Facebook page, or call 781-615-9040.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on May 22 2026. Filed under Top Stories. Both comments and pings are currently closed.