John Kenneth Peter Grakowsky

1952 - 2013

John Kenneth Peter Grakowsky, 61, beloved husband of 36 years to Lynn (Zessin) Grakowsky of Windsor, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hartford on May 11, 1952, one of five children born to the late Bronislaus and Lillian A. (Klebauskas) Grakowsky. John grew up in the Poquonock section of Windsor, moved to Hartford as a teenager and attended Hartford Public High School. John moved back to Windsor as an adult. He retired from Farmington River Power Company after many years of service, first as a lineman and later as a station operator. John cared deeply for the safety and well-being of his community and volunteered for many years with both Windsor Ambulance and the Poquonock Fire Department. He was also a member of St. Casimir's Lithuanian Society. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge in Windsor and faithfully attended the weekend meetings of the 'breakfast club.' John loved his family and always provided for their every need and comfort. He married his longtime friend and sweetheart, Lynn in 1977. John was a loving and protective husband, father, and grandfather who made the security of his family a top priority. When his eight year-old grandson, Michael, learned of his Grandpa's passing, he commented on how safe Grandpa always made him feel. Being a grandparent was one of the greatest joys John had ever known, and he was blessed to have shared quality time with each of his grandchildren. Besides his wife, his memory is forever cherished by his son, Shaun Grakowsky and his wife Shannon and their children, Michael and Morrigan of Windsor and his daughter, Jennifer L. Lawrence and her husband Matthew of Owings Mills, Maryland; two brothers, Stanley Grakowsky of East Hartford and Paul Grakowsky and his wife Carin of Stafford Springs; and two sisters, Rita Grakowsky of East Hartford and Anita Salvatore and her husband Stephen of Windsor. He also leaves his in-laws, Mary Ann Florkoski, Donald Zessin (Cathie), Karen Tosti (James), Mark Zessin (Sandra), Pauline Voyer (Michael) and a dear friend, Cliff Tweeddale and his wife Sue of Enfield as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his father and mother in law, Walter and Constance Zessin and a sister in law, Jayne King. John's family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the staff of ICU at St. Francis Hospital for their supportive care and abundant kindnesses. Funeral services will begin from the Carmon Poquonock Funeral Home, 1816 Poquonock Avenue, in the Poquonock section of Windsor at 9 a.m., Wednesday, November 27, 2013, to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 1747 Poquonock Avenue and burial in Elm Grove Cemetery, Windsor. Friends may call on Tuesday evening from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. There will be an Elks Lodge ceremony at 6:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please honor John by making a memorial donation to either the Windsor Food Bank, c/o the Windsor Community Service Council, 599 Matianuck Avenue, Windsor, CT 06095 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.