Obituary of John Karbonic

KARBONIC, John Henry, (91), of New Britain, beloved great uncle, World War II veteran, former executive director and physical director of the New Britain Boys Club, entered into eternal life on Friday, January 15. John, a life-long resident of New Britain, was born on October 9, 1918, the son of the late Michael and Antonina (Kapustinski) Karbonic. He attended the Smalley School, Nathan Hale Junior High, and graduated from New Britain High School in 1937. John served in the US Army during World War II and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he attended E. C. Goodwin Regional Vocational School while employed part time at the Boys' Club of New Britain where he was a former club member himself. John was appointed physical director at the Boys' Club in 1949, and for 17 years worked with thousands of boys in physical education, helping them to become good and respected citizens. In 1958, John received national recognition from the Boys Clubs of America for his outstanding work in New Britain and was appointed a member to the Boys' Club of America's national program committee on health and physical education, serving as an advisor on program services in the planning and development of program material for use in boys' clubs throughout the nation. In 1962, John was appointed to executive director of the Boys' Club and served as executive director for 21 years until his retirement in 1983. In addition to John's work as physical director and executive director, he also was in charge of public relations. He was a familiar figure at the New Britain Herald and had taken care of news article submissions for sports events and other programs at the Boys' Club. In 1990, John was recognized for his work in the Boys' Club, having touched the lives of thousands of New Britain youngsters, when the road leading into Willow Brook Park was named "John Karbonic Way" in his honor. John had received numerous honors including the New Britain Civitan Club Citation for Outstanding Service in Stimulating Better Citizenship in the Community, the New Britain Bar Association Liberty Bell Award for Promoting Good Citizenship in the Community and the Professional Recognition Plaque Award for long and devoted service to the local boys club and the Connecticut area council. John was predeceased by his brothers, Metro Karbonic and Joseph Karbonic, his sisters, Helen Tynik and her husband, Walter Tynik, Mary K. Spain and her husband, William J. Spain and John's only nephew, Edward W. Spain and his wife, Doris (Turgeon) Spain. He is survived by his nephew's children (John's grand-nieces and grand-nephews), Leonard Spain, Cheryl Rannou, Linda Spain, Laura Ricci, Roger Spain, Viola Pietrandrea, Christopher Spain, Gerald Spain, Mark Spain and his 18 great grand nieces and grand nephews and their families. Uncle John will be dearly missed by his nine grand-nieces and grand-nephews by which he was lovingly referred to as "UJ." Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family for calling hours on Tuesday, from 4-7 p.m. at Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Square, New Britain. A funeral procession will gather by 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Mary's Church at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill, CT. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of New Britain 150 Washington St. New Britain, CT 06051.