Thomaston – Mr. John Polowy, 95, died on August 23 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington.

The son of Stanley and Sophie (Swoboda) Polowy, he was born in Thomaston on August 19, 1922, and graduated from Thomaston High School. After serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps, he was employed by Plume & Atwood in Thomaston before joining the military during World War II. John served in the South Pacific as a sergeant medical technologist in the Army Air Corps and was awarded several decorations, among them the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon with four battle stars. After being decommissioned, he received a diploma from Cheshire Academy and attended Fairfield University.

On August 7, 1950, John married Irene Sitkiewicz of Thomaston; their marriage endured 67 years, until his death. For 31 years, John was employed by General Time in Thomaston, and later by Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. A passionate sportsman, John was the last surviving founding member of the Thomaston Fish and Game Club. He had limitless enthusiasms for dog training, American history, shooting sports, carpentry, ham radio, and all things electronic. John’s friendships were many and included people far younger than he was who were drawn to his amiability and cheerful tolerance of their ways and opinions.

John is survived by his wife, Irene; his brother, Lawrence; his daughter, Barbara, and her husband, John Sippel; his niece Lynda Harris Mitchell, his nephews Timothy and David Polowy, Conrad Rasinski, David Sitkiewicz, Dennis and James Flaherty, Richard and John Wallace and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sister, Ann Harris, and his brother, William Polowy.

A private burial with military honors will take place on August 31. To send notes of sympathy and comfort to John’s family please visit his tribute page at www.lyonsfuneralhome.com

The family asks that any contributions in his name be made to the Salvation Army, 74 Central Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06787. 

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