Birth:  Jul. 29, 1917
Naugatuck
New Haven County
Connecticut, USA
Death:  Oct. 2, 2010
Middlebury
New Haven County
Connecticut, USA

MIDDLEBURY - Mr. Albert J. Zapatka, lifelong resident of Naugatuck, died
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, after a long illness. Mr. Zapatka was born July 29,
1917, the son of the late Mary (Kosiorek) Zapatka and Joseph Zapatka.

Mr. Zapatka was educated in the Naugatuck school system and served in the
Navy during World War II as a boatswain's mate, second class, aboard the
destroyer escort ship USS Fogg. During the war, the Fogg was torpedoed by a
U-boat but managed to return safely to port. The commander and crew received
commendations for saving the crippled ship.

Mr. Zapatka retired from Uniroyal Chemical Co. He was a member of the VFW
and an active member of Holy Saviour Polish National Catholic Church.

He leaves a sister, Rose M. Harnick of Middlebury. He was predeceased by
four sisters, Mary Carey, Veronica Hibbard and Theresa Zapatka, all from
Naugatuck, and Carolyn Gaetz of Oxford. He also leaves a niece, several
nephews and their children.

Al was a very avid sports fan. He enjoyed attending New York Yankees and
Notre Dame football games. He also enjoyed gardening and spending time with
his family. Al was very involved with Holy Saviour Polish National Catholic
Church in Naugatuck. For many years, he served as the head of the vestry,
coordinated youth activities and ran the cemetery operation.

Al will be missed very much by his family and fellow church members. He was
a wonderful person who led a simple but very content life. He was always
true to his beliefs and tried his best to help others in any way he could.

The family would like to acknowledge Middlebury Convalescent Home's devoted
staff who provided care and comfort to Al during a very difficult time.

The funeral will be Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. from Buckmiller
Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck, to Our Holy Saviour
Catholic Church, 118 Prospect St., Naugatuck, for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial
will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on
Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Holy Saviour Polish
National Catholic Church Property Development Fund, 118 Prospect St.,
Naugatuck 06770; or Middlebury Convalescent Home Patient Activity Fund, 778
Middlebury Road, Middlebury 06762.


Burial:
Holy Saviour Polish National Catholic Cemetery
Naugatuck
New Haven County
Connecticut, USA
 

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