Edwin Francis "Winek" Biestek, 96, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Tuesday March 17, 2015, at his home in The Villages, FL. He was the husband of Martha Lou (Taylor) Biestek, his loving wife of 48 years. Born on February 3, 1919 in Meriden he was the son of the late Stanley and Kathryn (Kataneska) Biestek. Edwin was a graduate of St. Stanislaus School and Meriden High School, class of 1937. As an 8 year old Edwin began his gymnastic training on the parallel bars with the Falcon Athletic Club and also trained on the trapeze swings. Edwin performed with members of the Falcon's at the Yale Bowl, PITT Stadium and county fairs. He attended the University of Miami and was a graduate of Morse College of Hartford. Edwin proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps as a flight officer in the 414th Fighter Group during WWII. He named his plane an A P-47 Thunderbolt "Falcon". Edwin took his pre-flight training at Maxwell Field and graduated at Spencer Field, Moultrie, GA. He was assigned with the 20th Air Force on Iwo Jima and was in Luzon after the Philippine Liberation. Edwin owned and operated the Blue Streak Oil Company and later founded Edwin F. Biestek Bail Bonds. He was known as "The Flying Bondsman" having had a newspaper article written about his being a "pilot bondsman". Edwin purchased his first Cessna in July 1973. He flew well into his 70's. Edwin and his wife Martha moved from Palm Harbor, FL to the Villages, FL in 2002 where he attended St. Timothy Church. Though they were residents of Florida since 1994, summers were spent at their home in Meriden. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 8083, Belleview; FL. Edwin was a longtime supporter of the Meriden Boys and Girls Club. He was a successful Little League Coach for Hancock Pharmacy for 11 years, winning the city league title 10 out of the 11 years. Edwin was always so proud of the boys on his team, who fondly called him "Coach". He was an avid golfer and would fly his plane to other states to play. He made his first hole-in-one in Clearwater, FL in 2002. Edwin also enjoyed tennis, racquet ball and he was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. He is survived by 17 nieces and nephews: Marcia Lawler (William) of FL & RI, Frederick A. Biestek, Jr. (Snow) & family of AL, John S. Biestek & family, Kathryn Sundberg & family, William G. Biestek (Lori) & family, James P. Biestek & family of NC, Kenneth "Billy" Biestek of AZ, Joseph "Jack" Biestek (Erma) & family, Janet Francis & family, Laura Lynne Biestek & family, Scott Sundberg & family, the Rev. Paul D. Frazier (Joan) & family of IL, James E. Frazier & family of TX, Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Truman & family of CO, Pamela Whitman (The Rev. Don) of OK, Thomas Biestek & family, Melissa Colbath (Barry) & family of FL; a sister-in-law Gloria W. Biestek; two brothers-in-law: Michael "Mikel" Mikulcza, Jr, Donald Mansfield (Celeste) & family of FL and his special friends: James & Judy Galluzzo, Toni & James Alexander of FL, Shirley Krampitz and Tony Notaro of FL & CT and Bill Radston. He was predeceased by four brothers: Walter, Joseph, Edward and Frederick Biestek; two sisters: Jeanette Baden Pascucci, Estelle Williams and his nephew Robert V. Biestek. His memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be private. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com. Donations in memory of Mr. Edwin Biestek may be made to the Meriden Boys & Girls Club, 15 Lincoln St., Meriden, CT 06451.