Walter J Straceski

Born on March 15, 1929, Walter grew up in New Britain and has resided in Farmington the past 47 years. He was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Gralla) Straceski. Walter was predeceased by his loving wife and high school sweetheart Susan Bowry Straceski who passed away on Aug 20, 2011 after 59 years of marriage. Walt leaves behind a son and his wife, Donald and Laurie Straceski, a daughter and her husband, Mariann and Bruce Fiori, four grandchildren, Kim and Todd Straceski and Michael and Kristin Fiori. In addition he leaves behind a sister, Ceil Ott of Rocky Hill and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by three brothers and a sister, Stanley Straceski of Plainville, Henry Straceski of Flushing, NY and Joseph Straceski of East Hartford and Jennie Salwocki of Rocky Hill.

Walt was a 1948 graduate of New Britain High School where he played football, baseball and was elected Captain of the basketball team for two years, 1947 and 1948. He was the proud recipient of the 1948 Burns Memorial Award.

After graduating Walt was employed at the Fafnir Bearing Company and played basketball in the industrial league at the Stanley arena. In 1950 he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Vance Air Force base in Oklahoma for four years. He took a leave in 1952 to marry his high school sweetheart, Susan Bowry, on June 21, 1952. In 1954, at the rank of Staff Sergeant, Walt received an honorable discharge from the Air Force, at which time he returned to the Fafnir Bearing Company until 1990 when he retired after 40 years of service. Walt was a life member of the New Britain Elks Lodge #957.

Walt loved traveling with his wife, Susan, and especially enjoyed the weekend sleepovers with his grandchildren.

Per the request of Walt, there will be no calling hours. Family and friends are invited to a funeral mass on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St Patrick Church on Main Street in Farmington Internment with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Farmington. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Mary Home West One Wing on Albany Avenue in West Hartford, Ct. New Britain Memorial Sagarino Funeral Home on 444 Farmington Avenue, New Britain is serving the family. To send a message or share a memory please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com

To send a message or share memories please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com