Adam S. ZIELINSKI

ZIELINSKI, Adam S.


On Thursday, (July 18, 2013), Adam Sylvester Zielinski, 90, of Plainville, died peacefully in the arms of his loving wife of 65 years, Johanna (Schopf) Zielinski. Born in Topola, Poland, on Dec. 24, 1922, Adam often stated that he was more than happy to "share his birthday with Jesus." He was pre-deceased by his parents, Stanley and Anna Zielinski and by his four brothers. In 1939, Adam was captured by the German soldiers and forced to work in a German labor camp. After the war ended, he lived in Hockenheim, Germany working as a military officer for the Occupational Forces. It was there that he first saw Johanna, and he boasted to his friends that he would "steal this beautiful girl from Germany and that she would soon become his wife." True to his word, they married in 1948 and immigrated to America shortly thereafter. They eventually settled in Plainville, CT where they raised their family of five children. Even though his primary dream had been to be a pilot, Adam was very proud of his job as a machinist at New Britain Machine where he worked tirelessly for 34 years. Retiring in 1986, he achieved his life goal of raising his family in peace and comfort and sending all of his children to college. Adam loved playing chess and tennis and walking endlessly around Norton Park, hand in hand with his wife, Johanna. Adam was an artist, a singer, a passionate lover of Polish food, and a skilled craftsman - he spent endless hours in his workshop tinkering with his prized tools. He was a quintessential Polish gentleman, always honorable and forever greeting his many "friends" in church, at the bank and in the grocery stores, so that he could compliment them about their "beautiful smiles." A huge UConn Husky fan, Adam was also a Boston Red Sox fan but mostly just to annoy his avid Yankee fan sons. He and Johanna loved their vacations by the water, be it beach or lake, and in recent years they relished their vacations at the "Z" beach house in Old Lyme. Beyond his love for his wife and children, Adam's primary source of joy - the zenith of his pride - was being surrounded by his 14 grandchildren. He basked in their love and adoration and would light up with sheer happiness whenever he was with them or spoke of them. He cherished every one of their achievements, be it academic, athletic or even social. In addition to his wife, with whom he shared a lifetime of mutual devotion, Adam will be lovingly remembered by his family; a son and daughter in-law, Karl and Debbie Zielinski of Manchester and daughter Krista (Zielinski) Rotella and husband Matt, a son and daughter in-law, Eric and Claire Zielinski of Westport and children, Chris and Chiara and grandchildren, Dillon, Sarah and Rose, a daughter and son in-law, Yanina and Bruce Daigle of Burlington and children, Aaron, Erika and Alexander, a daughter and son in-law, Tania and Brian McNaboe of Burlington and children, Lukas, Connor, Tessa and Riley, and a son and daughter in-law, Peter and Lisa Zielinski of Trumbull and children, Lauren, Kyle, Derek and Jaret, and sister-in-law, Antonie Krauland and family. Adam was pre-deceased by a grandson, Adam C. Zielinski and a granddaughter, Brianna F. McNaboe. The family would like to thank Derek Acheampong, Adam's caregiver, for his kindness and excellent care.
Friends and family may pay their respects on Sunday, July 21 from 5-8 p.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St. in Plainville. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Adam's life will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 19 South Canal St. in Plainville on Monday, July 22, at 10 a.m. The Zielinski family requests that to honor Adam's love for his grandson, Adam C. Zielinski, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hartford Hospital-Anxiety Disorders Center, c/o Fund Development, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour St., Hartford, CT 06016. To extend online expressions of sympathy, or for further information, please visit www.bailey-funeralhome.com.