Paul Edward Peknik Jr.

PAUL EDWARD PEKNIK, JR., age 84, passed away at his home in Stamford, Thursday, June 18, 2009, after a valiant battle with prostate cancer. Paul was born in Danbury, August 17, 1924, to the late Anna Fako and Paul Peknik. Paul served in the U.S. Army, 35th Infantry Division, 101st Airborne, during World War II, in France. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. Paul received a B.S. in Science from the University of Bridgeport, a M.S. in Science Education from Texas A & M University, and his sixth year diploma from Florida State University. He taught science in the Stamford Public Schools at Burdick and Dolan from 1950 to 1967. He served as science coordinator, Stamford Public Schools, from 1967 until his retirement in 1984. He taught at Manhattan College, Norwalk State Technical College, Manhat-tanville College, Hunter College, Kean University, the University of Bridgeport and most recently at Iona College. Paul is survived by his wife, Judy Bassin Peknik; his children, Donald Peknik of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Lisa Henry (David) of Castle Pines, Colo., Davida Hoffman of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Daniel Peknik of Los Altos, Calif.; his granddaughter, Tara Peknik, and his stepchildren, Susan Feuer of Thomaston, and Drew Feuer of Brooklyn, N.Y. He is also survived by his sisters, Mildred Torielli (Jack), Kristine Jacobelis (Sam), and Anna Blackman (Allen). Paul was predeceased by his brother, Edward. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, June 23, 10 a.m., at St. Cecilia's Church, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Internment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury. Relatives and friends may visit at Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, Monday, June 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stamford Health Foundation, Bennett Cancer Center, 1350 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT 06902 or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care (VNHC) of Southwestern CT 1029 E. Main Street, Stamford, 06902, in Paul's memory.