John J. Pawlina

John J. Pawlina, age 91, widower of Irene (Wieliczko) Pawlina, of New Britain, CT, passed away on December 25, 2017, at The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain. John was born February 18, 1926, in Hubenice, Poland, to Wladyslaw and Katarzyna (Kaczmarczyk) Pawlina. He was employed by Fafnir Bearing Company, retiring in 1991. He fought with the allied forces during World War II, and had been held captive in Germany for three years. After the war, he worked in coal mines in France before migrating to the United States, making New Britain, CT his home until his death. John was a devoted husband and father who took pride in working long hours and foregoing paid vacation time in order to support his family. Serious and hard working, he also had a great sense of humor and a kind heart, often helping those less fortunate than he. He was highly creative and often spent time at the kitchen table drawing and working on craft projects with his children. John also loved the outdoors and was a highly successful gardener. John will be remembered most for his strong work ethic, his great love of animals and the outdoors, and his outgoing social manner.

He is survived by his sons: Richard, Kenneth and his partner Sheryl Kucharski, and Mitchell of New Britain, Walter and his wife Deborah of Old Saybrook, and Martin and his wife Durain of Bristol; his daughters: Diane Woodruff and her husband John of Granville, MA, and Felicia Pawlina and her husband Chris D'Addio of Ocklawaha, FL; his grandchildren: Michael, Jonathan, Sara Rose, Kenisha, Randy, Brittney, Marc, Jayden; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, John was predeceased by his brothers, Mieczyslaw, Josef and Zofia.

John's family would like to express their deep gratitude to the kind and loving staff of St. Lucian's Residence, Autumn Lake, as well as Dr. Tillman and the medical staff of N4 at The Hospital of Central CT, for their many acts of kindness along the way.

Funeral services will begin Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, a time of visitation will be held 8:00-9:30am at New Britain Memorial Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain, followed by his funeral liturgy at 10AM in St. Jerome Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. For directions or online messages, please visit www.newbritainsagarino.com.