Frank Zielinski

Frank Paul ZIELINSKI, 86, of Milford, CT, died Monday, July 18, 2016 with his wife of 62 years, Florence (Kuzemka) and loving family at his bedside. Born on Sunday, June 22, 1930 in Milford, CT. He was the son of the late Walenty ZIELINSKI and the late Aniela “Angela” Elizabeth (KOZLOWSKI). Frank was a lifelong resident of Milford, having grown up on the family dairy farm. He attended Milford Schools and graduated from Milford High School in 1948. He retired from United Technology - Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT and for many years had his own landscape business. He was a member of the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association. Frank was very proud of his agricultural background; leading to his obsession of restoring over a dozen antique tractors, the oldest being a 1940 Farmall. He participated in antique tractor displays and competitions at the local country fairs. He passed this interest on to his son and grandsons. Frank was an active member of St. Gabriel Parish for over 60 years. He served on the Parish Council and was instrumental in planning and constructing the first playground at St. Gabriel School. He also designed and installed the Lady of Fatima Shrine. He was the recipient of HOPE in 1993, an archdiocese award for his volunteer work at St. Gabriel School. He served as the grounds maintenance contractor at the church and school for over 30 years. Frank was a member of and past president of the Thaddeus Koscuiszko Society, active for many years working on various committees, especially for the Polish Dances. He was proud of his ethnic heritage and enjoyed celebrating traditional Polish holiday customs with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed attending and participating in the many activities of his grandchildren. Frank is survived by his five children: Catherine Purzycki and her husband, Alfred, of North Haven, CT, Carolyn Schwab and her husband, Philip, of North Haven, CT, Cecelia Bradley of Portland, ME, Christine Gleim and her husband, Kenneth, of Hanover, PA, Andrew Zielinski and his wife, Donna Lofredo, of Bethany, CT and grandchildren: Thomas, Alicia and Andrea Purzycki, Charles and Joseph Schwab, Margaret Bradley and Melyssa Bradley Tapley and her husband Anthony, Christine, Jennifer and Kenneth Gleim, Andrew, Robert and Kathryn Zielinski and cherished great granddaughter Isabella Tapley. He is also survived by: sister Genevieve Sotak of Rockville, MD as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by: brother Joseph Zielinski, sister Mary Pauline Harla, sister Helen Ann Kowarik and sister Theresa Barbara Shamansky. Viewing will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2016 from 4 to 7 pm at Smith Funeral Home, 135 N. Broad St., Milford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 11am in St. Gabriel Church, 26 Broadway, Milford. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Avenue, Milford. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.jdrf.org, St. Gabriel Church, 26 Broadway, Milford, CT 06460, or the charity of one's choice.