Obituary of Robert D. Gadzik

Robert D. Gadzik, 80, of New Britain, died Saturday night at the Hospital of Central CT in New Britain. Born Oct. 9, 1927 in New Britain, he was the son of the late Stanley & Anna (Hamilla) Gadzik. He served in WWII as a petty officer in the US Navy in the Amphibian forces from 1945-1948. He worked in various spring shops until retiring from Plymouth Spring in Oct. 1992. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree - Daly Council 12. He was a communicant of St. Andrews Church, where he also served as a collector for many years and served on the Parish Council. He belonged to various organizations including: Lithuanian Seniors, AARP Newington #697, RSVP and Stanley Seniors. He also volunteered at many places: NBGH for 15yrs, Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs where he earned 500 hours while spending summers in Sun Valley Cooperative, St. John's food pantry and at the weekly Bingo games. He leaves the quest to his grandchildren to figure out the value of a Buck 380. He enjoyed summers at Sun Valley giving golf cart rides to all his grandchildren and taught them his favorite games. He and his wife Lois enjoyed traveling to many places such as Alaska, Hawaii, The Panama Canal and throughout the US with their AARP friends. Robert is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lois E. (Hall) Gadzik of New Britain, and his children David and his wife Laurie (Robinson) of Middlebury and their children, Jessica, Joshua and Ben; daughter Cheryl Ann Pagano and her husband Chuck of Berlin and their children Anthony and his wife Kristen, and Chuck Jr., son Robbie of New Britain, and daughter Mary Ann Caldwell and husband Bruce of Manchester and their children Ranon and Rachel of Manchester, Rori and wife Marion Caldwell, and Rena Caldwell of Maine. He also leaves a brother and sister-in-law William and Doris Gadzik of New Britain, Sister-in-law Marilyn Gadzik of Avon, Sister-in-law Pauline Gadzik of New Britain; Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Russell Hall and his wife Diane of Newington, Wayne Hall and his wife Anne of New Britain, Several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers John, George and Walter, a sister Eleanor Cocores, nephews George & Danny Cocores and Niece Pam Saunders Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Andrews Church, New Britain. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin sq. New Britain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrews Church 396 Church St. New Britain 06051 or to the George Bray Cancer Center c/o 100 Grand Street New Britain, CT 06050.