Walter J. Radziewicz

Our father on earth, Walter J. Radziewicz, 90 years young, born on May 1, 1925 to Michael J. Radziewicz and Emilia (Sinkiewicz) Radziewicz in New Britain, husband of the late Margaret (Medvec) Radziewicz and father of the late Doris Marie Vitali, went home to our Father in Heaven on May 9, 2015. Additional Family members pre-deceased include brothers Stanley Radziewicz, Joseph Radziewicz, and sister Ann Michaels. Walter attended local schools and New Britain High School and enlisted into the US Army in 1943 serving as a Truck Driver Light 345 and as a Marksman Carbine. His service included the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rheinland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Walter's commendations included the Good Conduct Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Victor Medal Campaign Ribbon. Walter married Margaret Radziewicz on May 30, 1946, in which 65 years were celebrated in 2011. Dad had three daughters, the late and beloved Doris Vitali (Ronald), and is survived by daughters Janice Roberts (Daniel) and Gail Coppage (Timothy). Walter settled in New Britain where he began his employment working at Fafnir Bearing and Lech's Market until he became a supernumerary and then a policeman in the City of New Britain where he retired from the police department after 25 years. He loved serving and protecting the residents of New Britain. Our memories of him also include working church traffic at St. Joseph's Church and working "specials" at the movie theaters in New Britain. He also was very active in his police union; having our basement as the "storage area" for the many toys from Santa for the officers' children for their annual Christmas Party. He was Acting Youth Bureau Detective at NPBD. He truly loved working with the at-risk youth in New Britain and it was then that he became involved with the Police Athletic League of New Britain. Walter also joined the Mayor's Office of Mayor William McNamara to assist in any way he could with that office protecting our town's mayor and staff as well. Walter could not remain retired so he opted to become Security Guard at the then New Britain General Hospital. The position later changed to locksmith where he again retired after 10+ years. He fondly remembered walking the halls of the hospital protecting yet again all the patients and employees of the hospital, having met his primary physician while a resident there and incidentally, their friendship continued throughout twenty three years. Walter was very involved in local politics and served as a member of the Police Athletic League, the General Haller Post, the VFW Post where he served as bookkeeper and secretary, and served as Chairman of the City Hall Commission in New Britain. Walter also served as a past officer for the Central Labor Agency in New Britain. Walter was very involved in his church- Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church where he served as the past Chairman of the Men's Club, and bookkeeper and advisor under Fr. Eugene Fulton whom he loved very much. Walter was the proud grandfather of several grandchildren: Lesley (Vitali) Montano and her husband, David, Peter Vitali. Richard Vitali and his wife, Tanya, Christopher Roberts, Derek Roberts, and Andrew O'Keefe and great grandfather to Michael Montano, Mark Montano, Ella Vitali, Wilhelm Vitali, Noah Vitali, Aiden Vitali and Kayla Roberts. Walter was a friend and confidante throughout his career, and made many new friends during his work as a locksmith at New Britain General. He was proud of his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and his wife Margaret was the love of his life.Walter was a lifelong resident of New Britain and oftentimes spent hours discussing the life and politics of the city, state and nation. Walter was a proud veteran who understood the role of duty in serving his country. Walter's loves included playing checkers and winning, early years of fatherhood where he played Monopoly and had to be the "banker", lifting us up and throwing us into the ocean and having cookouts. Dad loved his yard and was a self-taught carpenter, having built a porch on his first home he owned, two sheds in the back of both houses he owned as well as a two car garage. He also was a devout son who went to his father's store weekly on Broad St. in New Britain, forever checking on him and his well-being. His father then returned the favor bringing a plant for his back yard in the early hours of the morning. His later years after having lost his wife, consisted of CNN watching, unscrambling the word puzzle from the Courant faithfully, saying his rosary and enjoying the many comforts of a life well lived.The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeffry Kagan for his support and guidance with our Dad for over 20 years and we thank the Polish Caregivers (Anna) and VNA Hospice for their care and attention most recently, as well as the Hartford Health Care Hospice Team treating him with love and dignity as well to Minnie one of his caregivers.. The family wishes to thank Dr. St. Pierre as well for his support and care to our father. Calling hours will be held Monday, May 25, 2015 from 4-6pm with a funeral service at 6:00 PM at New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave. New Britain.(Directions, Exit 37 off I-84 take a right at exit, funeral home is 1 ½ miles on your right. . Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, if desired, we ask that a donation be made to the Police Athletic League in New Britain in honor of his love for this program and the children of New Britain. We thank all Walter's colleagues and friends for their continued support and we ask that, to best honor our Dad, Walter, please show respect and gratitude to our local police, veterans, and hospital employees. He was a great servant on earth and was more than ready to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We love you Dad. For tributes, online condolences or direction, please visit www.newbritainsagarino.com