1962 Class Obituaries

The obituaries posted here are the ones the web site has found or been notified of. If you have an obituary of a classmate please send a copy to webmaster@maraquin.org so it may be published.

Peter Stanley Sztaba, Sr., 66, of Tolland, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at the West Haven Veteran’s Hospital.
He was born Sept. 24, 1944, to the late Ann (Podhajski) and Stanley Sztaba in New Britain, and was a resident of Seymour, until he joined his son in Tolland in 2007.
Peter graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Class of 1962, and Fairfield University, Class of 1966, where he was a member of the Fairfield Ambassadors of Song.
After proudly serving his county during the Vietnam Era in the U. S. Army, Peter went on to work as Director of Facilities Management for the Town of West Hartford. Later he was employed as a construction consultant in several other communities in CT.
Peter was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed singing, boating, gardening, and spending time with his family. Peter is survived by his loving son Peter Sztaba, Jr., and his wife, Kim, of Tolland; his two grandchildren, Madison and Taylor Sztaba; his brother, Stanley Sztaba and his wife, Patricia, of Stamford; his sister, Ann Mary Puskarz and her husband, Anthony Richard, of New Britain; his sister, Mary Ann Sztaba of Taunton, MA.; his brother, Atty. Stephen Sztaba and his wife, Karen, of Wethersfield; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Aigul and the Veteran’s Hospital for their years of compassionate care for Peter. Peter’s funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at the Burritt Hill Funeral Home, 332 Burritt St. New Britain CT 06053, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church.
Interment will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery in New Britain immediately following the Mass. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at Burritt Hill.
Memorial donations may be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Dementias online at http://www.ftd-picks.org/about/get-involved/donate. To share a memory with Peter’s family please visit us at www.burritthill.com.

Edward B. Garvey, 67, beloved husband of 44 years to Jean (Bolles) Garvey, passed away on Saturday, (January 16, 2010) at Masonic Home and HealthCare surrounded by his family. Mr. Garvey was born on August 30, 1942 in Northhampton, MA to the late Edward Bradford Garvey Sr. and Dorothy (O'Donnell) Garvey. Edward was a 12th generation descendant of Governor William Bradford who came to this country aboard the Mayflower. Mr. Garvey graduated from St. Thomas of Aquinas School in New Britain and from the University of Hartford . He spent several years in the insurance business both selling and servicing where he attained CLU and CFP Accreditations. He later retired from Metropolitan Insurance. After his retirement, he enjoyed selling cars for Schaller Automotive in New Britain. Mr. Garvey was an active member of St. Joseph's Church where he was a CCD instructor, a former member of the parish council and the finance committee. His hobbies included photography, an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New York Giants, reading, history, and being a member of the Mayflower Society. Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Michael and his wife Kate, David and his wife Leigh, and Thomas and his wife Nikola. He also leaves seven grandchildren whom he adored and loved spending time with. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2009 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the John J. Ferry and Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main Street Meriden, CT 06450. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either St. Joseph School, 159 West Main St., Meriden, CT 06451 or Camp Clara Barton, 30 Ennis Road, PO Box 356, North Oxford, MA 01537. www.jferryfh.com

Edward R. 'Ty' Trzcinski, 66, of New Britain, Conn., passed away suddenly Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at the Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General.

He was a husband to his beloved wife, Teresa; a father to his son, Richard Trzcinski, and his wife, Kelly, of Southington, Conn., and daughter, Tammy Pack, and her husband, Brett, of Terryville, Conn.; a brother to Kenneth Trzcinski, and his wife, Elna, of Southington, Conn.; a stepfather to sons, Artur and Christopher and daughters, Dominika and Malgorzata. Edward was a grandfather to Justin and Jordan Trzcinski of Southington, Brandon Pack of Terryville, along with two beautiful step-granddaughters, 'princess' Edyta and Jennifer, along with grandson, Adam. He is also survived by his nephews, Chad and Keith Trzcinski of Southington. Ty was a member of Sacred Heart Church, New Britain, and the Spartans Club, Kensington, Conn.

Edward's beloved wife, Teresa writes: 'Edward was a very sensitive man who loved his family, life, people and especially his animals. He was very proud of his family's accomplishments and would celebrate them often. He took the needs of those around him to heart. The heart that stopped on Jan. 13 was a heart that cared deeply for those around him. As often said by his stepdaughter, Edytq, 'Ty was NUMBER ONE.' For Ty from Chris, his stepson: 'You were tough and you were mean but that is all because I was ill. We had our ups and we had our downs, but you were the one that never had doubts. You showed me what was good and what was bad, you are a father that I never had.' Ty was an avid Elvis Presley fan.

Funeral rites for 'Ty' will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at 8 a.m. with the procession departing at 8:30 a.m. from the Paul A. Shaker/Farmingdale Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 158 Broad St., New Britain, with Monsignor Daniel J. Plocharczyk, presiding. Burial with full military honors will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burritt Street, New Britain.

Michele (Huet) Zettergren, 64, of Bristol passed away February 5, 2009. Michele was born in New Britain daughter of the late Yves and Lucienne (Lessard) Huet. Michele was a loving mother, grandmother sister and friend. She graduated from Saint Joseph Junior High School, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Class of 1962 and New Britain General Hospital Radiology School. She worked for New Britain General Hospital, The Newington Children's Hospital and Essex Medical Walk In part of Middlesex Hospital as a Registered Radiological Technician. Michele lived in New Britain, Old Lyme and Bristol. She was a member of Saint Joseph Church. Michele is survived by her devoted Daughter Christine (Duffy) Nardi and her husband Christopher of Unionville. Three grandchildren Jake, Thomas and Chase Nardi all of Unionville. One brother Andre Huet and his wife Ellen of Apollo Beach FL. Two sisters, Danielle Trottier and her husband Mark of Adams MA. And Anne Smith and her husband Bradford of Bristol. Many loving aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews. Michele will be truly missed by all who knew her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Monday Feb. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Joseph Church, 195 South Main Street, New Britain. Burial will be private in Saint Mary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kenney-Luddy Funeral Home, 205 South Main Street, New Britain Sunday Feb. 8, from 2-5 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Published in Hartford Courant on February 6, 2009

Marcia Wells Maglisco, 62 years old, of Newington, passed away at her home on Monday (October 8, 2007). Marcia was born in New Britain on October 19, 1944, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome and Anne Wells of New Britain. She was the wife of Frank Maglisco for 39 years. Marcia leaves behind her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Eve and Dean Halter and her beloved granddaughter, Bryce Halter, who was the light of Marcia's life. She was predeceased by her dearly loved son, Carl Maglisco, and her precious grandson, Aidan Halter. Marcia graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, and from Central Connecticut State University with a Masters degree in Reading Education. Marcia was a committed teacher in the New Britain School District for 35 years. Her last assignment, from which she retired in 2003, was as a reading teacher at Smalley Academy where she instilled a love for reading in countless children. Marcia's love and loyalty to her students was reciprocated by all whom she taught. Marcia's entire life both before and after retirement was devoted to Eve and to her young grandchildren. May she rest in peace knowing that her life's tasks were fully realized and appreciated. Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 13, at 9 a.m. at New Britain Memorial Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain, followed by the funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Newington. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours will be Friday, Oct. 12th, from 5-8 pm at the funeral home. (directions: I-84, right off exit #37, 1 1/2 miles on right) Please visit www.mem.com to send a tribute or condolences to the family.

George P. Spring Jr. , 63, of South Windsor formerly of New Britain, died Thursday, (June 14, 2007) at St. Francis Hospital. Born in New Britain he lived in South Windsor for the past 30 years. He graduated from CCSU in 1967 and was an avid and loyal Red Sox Fan. Mr. Spring was employed by the Town of South Windsor and most recently J. E. Shepard Corp., South Windsor for many years. He is survived by his three sons, George P. Spring, III, Peter Spring, and Chad Spring, all of South Windsor; his daughter, Tracy Martin and her husband, Kevin, of New Britain; his two grandchildren, Sean Patrick Martin and Jocelyn Eve Martin; his sister, Patricia Spring, of New Britain. He also leaves his loyal friend and loving companion, "Pudge". His funeral services will be held Tuesday, June, 9:15 a.m. from the Burritt Hill Funeral Home, 332 Burritt St., New Britain, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, New Britain. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Relatives and friends are invited to call Monday from 4-8:00 p.m. at Burritt Hill. Memorial donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 375 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02215 or to the CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory with the family, please visit us at www.burritthill.com

Jane (Toomey) Donnelly, 61 of Old Saybrook died suddenly on Friday (May 19, 2006). Beloved wife of John W. Donnelly. Jane was born in Corpus Christi, TX, daughter of the late John and Edith Toomey. She had lived in Old Saybrook for over 37 years, she was a LPN for several area nursing homes and Hospice programs, member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Essex. She is also survived by her children, Carolyn Brill of Clarkston, MI, William Patterson III of Deep River and John Patterson of Haddam, and her grandchildren, Jeremy, Joshua and Grace Brill and William Patterson IV; a brother, John Toomey of Avon; three sisters, Carol Towne of Reedville, VA, Ann Hagedorn of Avon, Margaret McGill of Old Saybrook and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be offered on Monday, May 22 at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Essex. Interment will be private. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 300 Research Pkwy, Meriden, CT 06450. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook.

James Elbert Raines, a former New Britain police officer and Vietnam veteran, died suddenly Friday at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford. He was 56. Raines, of Bloomfield, was working for Burns International Security at the time of his death and was a member of the Pride of Connecticut Lodge of Elks in New Britain and the NAACP.

Raines was a sergeant when he resigned in 1988, ending a 20-year career that began shortly after the U.S. Marine Corps veteran finished his service in Vietnam. A Hartford native, Raines was the husband of Mirna Walker Raines and son of Elbert and the late Bertha Lee Smith Raines of Hartford. In addition to his wife and father, he is survived by three daughters, Patrice Raines-Oates of Plainville, Jeannine Holmes of Bristol and Faith Palmer of Bloomfield; a brother, Herbert Raines of Southington; four sisters, Grace Raines of New Britain, Linda Battle of Plainville, Rita Raines of Texas and Deloris Carr of San Francisco, Calif.. a granddaughter and several nieces. Burial with military honors will be Wednesday in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, after a 10 a.m. service in McCullough Temple A.M.E. Church on Chapman Street. Friends may call today, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Porter's Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington.

Robert J. Gorka, 57, of Beaver Falls, PA, passed away Wednesday, (October 31, 2001) at his home. Born in Hartford, a son of the late Antonio and Jane (Napolitano) Gorka, he resided in the East Hartford area for his young adult years prior to moving and residing in Leominster, MA for most of his life. He was a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, and then attended the University of Connecticut, where he graduated with a BS degree in chemistry. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and was an avid golfer. NOVA Chemicals, Inc. of Monaca, PA employed him for the past 32 years as a research scientist. Mr. Gorka is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Puglisi) Gorka of Leominster, MA; a son, Daniel J. Gorka of Clinton, MA; two daughters, Donna Gorka of Clinton, MA, Carolyn Gorka of Leominster, MA; a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Linda Gorka of South Windsor; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be Monday, November 5, 10 a.m. from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 11 a.m. at St. Rose Church, 33 Church Street, East Hartford. Burial with full Military Honors will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Sunday, November 4, 2-5 p.m. Memorial contributions in Robert's memory may be made to a favorite charity of the donor's choice. For on-line memorials please visit www.desopo.com.

Ronald M. Mazur, 57, of the Elmwood section of West Hartford, husband of Jennifer (Horton) Mazur, died Thursday, (September 6, 2001) at New Britain General Hospital. Born in New Britain, son of Michael and Rose (Marut) Mazur of New Britain, he had lived in Elmwood for many years. He graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School and received both his BS and MS from Central Connecticut State University. He taught for the past 35 years in the New Britain School system as an elementary teacher at Burritt Elementary, Smalley Elementary, and was currently a 5th grade teacher at Holmes Elementary School. He was also a member of St. Brigid Church, Elmwood. Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by two sons, Matthew Mazur of New Britain, and Christopher Mazur of Burlington, VT; a brother and sister-in-law, Gregory and Catherine Mazur of East Hampton; a sister, Ruth Mazur of New Britain; brothers and sisters-in-law, Barbara and Jeff Rawn of Chicago, IL, Greg and Alice Horton of Canton, Deborah and Bill Robison of West Hartford, Diane Horton of St. Petersburg, FL, Brian and Jeanne Horton of North Granby; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral is Saturday, 8:15 a.m., from the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, followed by a 9 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brigid Church. The burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours are TODAY, 5-8 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be sent to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492.

Joseph P. Mangiafico of Bristol, who served as an auxiliary state trooper for many years, died Tuesday. He was 56. He was born in New Britain and was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from 1964 to 1970. He was an auxiliary state trooper in Litchfield for 21 years and worked at Northeast Utilities for 34 years. He won numerous awards for his voluntary contributions to community and environmental service. He was a member of St. Matthew Church, Forestville, and the Connecticut State Police Academy Alumni Association. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Gorski Mangiafico; a daughter, Amy Goldsberry of Bristol; a son, Todd Mangiafico of Hollywood, Calif.; two brothers, Paul ``Sammy'' Mangiafico of Bristol and Sebastian ``Bobby'' Mangiafico of Cromwell; a sister, Constance Strazzo of Niantic; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be Friday at 9 a.m. from DuPont Funeral Home, 25 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, to St. Matthew Church for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. Calling hours will be today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to New Britain General Hospital Auxiliary, Auxiliary Cancer Research Library, 100 Grand St., New Britain, CT 06050. 2000

Thomas Markiewicz, 57, of West Hartford died Saturday (March 9, 2002). He leaves his former wife, Edie Markiewicz; and his three children, Jill, David and Laurie Markiewicz. He leaves his father, Casimer Markiewicz; and a sister, Linda. He was predeceased by his mother, Louise. He also leaves dear friends and family. Tom's artistic gifts showed in all areas of his life. Tom enjoyed fishing and flying planes. A Memorial Service and Burial will be held privately. May he rest in peace. The Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of the arrangements.

Virginia F. (Weir) Stelmack, widow of Peter C. Stelmack of Kensington, died Tuesday, (May 16, 2000) at New Britain General Hospital. Born in Hartford, she had lived most of her life in New Britain and Kensington. She was a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and IBM School in Denver, Co. A communicant of St. Paul's Church in Kensington, she was the acting president of St. Paul's Ladies Guild, treasurer of the Berlin Democratic Town Committee, a member of the Suburban Womens Club of NewBritain, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Irish American Home in Glastonbury. She is survived by her son, Christopher C. Stelmack of Kensington; her stepdaughter and her husband, Joann and David Ayres and their daughter, Brianna, all of Niantic; her mother, Dorothy Weir of New Britain; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Phyllis Weir of Doylestown, PA, Brian and Sharon Weir of Phoenix, AZ; her aunt, Pauline Terwilliger of New Britain; two nieces; a nephew; two great nephews;and several cousins. She was predeceased by her father, George Weir. Funeral services will be held Friday, 9 a.m. from the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq., New Britain, going to St. Paul's Church in Kensington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, New Britain. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday, from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation of Connecticut, 45 S. Main St., WestHartford, 06107.

Kathleen Mary Skrypek Bucci, who persuaded a federal judge in 1991 to order her health insurer to pay for a special high-risk treatment for cancer, died Tuesday at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington. Mrs. Bucci was 48 and died of pneumonia while being treated for cancer, her husband, Donald A. Bucci, said.Two years ago, with an advanced case of breast cancer, Mrs. Bucci asked a federal court to order Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Connecticut to pay for a bone-marrow transplant that her doctors and family believed was her only chance for a cure. Blue Cross argued that the treatment was experimental and therefore not covered in its policies. However, the judge in the case ruled that too many other insurance companies pay for the treatment for it to be considered experimental. The expensive procedure included high doses of chemotherapy that carry a 20 percent chance of death. Mrs. Bucci's attorney, Peter Mlynarczyk of New Britain, said it was the first case in the state challenging the classification of bone-marrow transplants in the treatment of breast cancer as experimental or investigational. Such cases are being brought before judges throughout the country, and the Bucci case is being used as a precedent, said Mlynarczyk, who added that he has been involved in 53 other cases since hers. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Mlynarczk said it occurs in one of every nine women, and one in 20 die of it. Mrs. Bucci was diagnosed with cancer in 1988 and her doctor recommended the transplant after conventional treatment failed, the cancer having spread to her spinal column. Mrs. Bucci received the treatment at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha in March 1991. Her illness was in remission for about 11 months, and her condition was improved until December 1992, Donald Bucci said. He said his wife was courageous and upbeat throughout the legal proceedings and her treatment. "Kathleen was a very positive individual," Donald Bucci said. On Dec. 17, she was admitted to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and was briefly treated with taxol, a drug recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Mrs. Bucci was born and raised in New Britain. She attended local schools and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. She attended Hartford College for Women and worked for more than 30 years as a legal secretary, the past 15 for the firm of Erikson, Scalise, Mangan and Zembko in New Britain. She was widely known in the legal community, her husband said, and was a member of the New Britain and Hartford County Legal Secretaries associations. In addition to her husband, she leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Corrine Bucci and Kevin J. Albert of Bristol; and a granddaughter. Her parents, Joseph and Helen Cop Skrypek, are deceased. Calling hours will be Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at Porter's Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington. The funeral service Saturday will begin at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. A Mass will be celebrated at St. Jerome Church, New Britain, at 10:45 a.m. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Development Fund, 74 Kelsey St., New Britain 06051. Copyright 1993 The Hartford Courant Co.