Anthony John Yakacki

Anthony John Yakacki, 91, a longtime resident of Danbury, CT died peacefully on April 27, 2017 at Danbury Hospital with his loving family by his side. Anthony was born in Ebervale, PA on February 19, 1926 to the late Antoni K. and Teofila Ana (Rek) Yakacki. He graduated in 1943 from Hazle Township High School in Hazleton, PA. He was married to his wife of 71 years, Helen (Makowski) Yakacki on November 29, 1945.

Anthony joined the United States Marine Corps in 1944 and proudly served in WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific Area, landing on Iwo Jima on his 19th birthday. Corporal Yakacki was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received as a result of enemy action and was granted an honorable discharge.

Moving to Danbury in 1951, Anthony worked at Republic Foil in Danbury, CT until he retired in 1993. Anthony was an avid sports fan of the UCONN women's basketball team and played basketball, baseball, and also enjoyed bowling. Anthony coached little league baseball in Danbury and was a Boy Scout leader for many years. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Danbury, CT.

Active in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Anthony was their number 1 fan and made it a point to attend every one of their games whether near or far. He was known as "Grandpa" to all of their teammates.

With his wife by his side, Anthony enjoyed many AARP trips to the casinos and being a "people person" he could strike up a conversation with anyone and always had a story, or joke, to tell in any situation.

Everyone loved going to "Grandpa's" house for holidays, family events, and birthdays. Anthony always had a knack for keeping his grandchildren and great-grandchildren entertained with checkers, card games, dice, and blocks.

Anthony was preceded in death in addition to his parents, by brothers and sisters: Julian, Michael, Charles, Edward, Zigmund, Henry, Joseph, Sophie Kutzor, Stella Timko, Mary Bubrowski, Anna Bilicska, and Theresa Paletski. Surviving are his sons Anthony E. and his wife Ingrid of Berlin, MD; Robert and his wife Sharon of Danbury, CT; and daughter Carol Noreika and her husband Robert of New Fairfield, CT. Also surviving is sister Veronica C. Bonin of Hazleton, PA. Anthony was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Christyn Yakacki (Tom LeRoy), Anthony D. Yakacki, Brenna Sullivan (Ryan), Ryan Yakacki, Julie Fellone (Travis), Joseph Yakacki (Kaytee), Laurie Noreika, David Yakacki, and Stacie Noreika. In addition to his grandchildren, Anthony was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren: Joseph and William LeRoy; Brenna VanVoorhis, Andrew and Kira Yakacki; Cailyn, Owen, and Quinn Sullivan; Zaira Yakacki; Lilianna Fellone; and Maddux Yakacki. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 46 Stone Street, Danbury, CT. Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury, CT.

Friends will be received on Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Iwo Jima Survivor's Association of Connecticut, 33 Hemlock Road, Branford, CT 06405 or to Sacred Heart Church, 46 Stone St Danbury, CT 06810.