Anthony Poniatowski

Anthony "Tony" Poniatowski, 87, of Wallingford, (formerly of New Britain), died Saturday, May 9, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Margaret (née Inturrisi), also of Wallingford; and devoted father of Paul (Susan) Poniatowski of Haddon Heights, New Jersey; John (Kate) Poniatowski of Wallingford; and Richard (Deborah) Poniatowski of Simsbury. He leaves eleven grandchildren: Lauren Saenz, David Poniatowski, Kate Fitzgibbon, Heather Williams, Sean Williams, Kathryn Poniatowski, Annie Poniatowski, Nick Poniatowski, Amanda Poniatowski, Chris Poniatowski, and Matt Poniatowski. Tony also was (in his words) "a great great-grandfather" to his six great-grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Thaddeus "Ted" Ponds, of Kensington. He was predeceased by his brother Henry "Bob" Poniatowski, his sisters Helen Tanski and Veronica Poniatowski, and his daughter-in-law Lynn Gibeau (John) Poniatowski. A son of the Polish immigrants Bronislaw and Bronislawa (née Klepacki) Poniatowski, Tony grew up in New Britain, where he and Margaret married in 1950, raised their family, and resided until 2010 when they moved to the Masonicare senior community at Ashlar Village in Wallingford. Tony graduated from Sacred Heart School and New Britain High School, both in New Britain, and attended Central Connecticut State University before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1946. He served in General Douglas MacArthur's color guard in Tokyo during the military occupation of Japan following World War II. Tony worked at Connecticut Light & Power and Northeast Utilities for 43 years before retiring in 1991. After his retirement, he and Margaret wintered for many years in Vero Beach, Florida, took several cruises, and visited Sicily, Italy. Tony was an accomplished athlete early in life, playing basketball at Sacred Heart, New Britain High School, and CCSU. Beginning in 1948 he played third base on several local fast-pitch softball teams, and often led the league in batting and fielding. Later he coached youth athletics and served as President of the New Britain Little League from 1963 to 1966. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, boating, poker, and especially golf, which became his favorite pastime. During his many years of golf in Connecticut and Florida, Tony experienced the excitement of three holes-in-one. He helped build a family lakeside cottage and undertook several do-it-yourself renovations of his home. Along with Margaret, he valued education and worked hard to ensure that his sons could attend college. Tony saw two of his sons through serious illnesses they contracted as young adults, and it was his positive attitude and strength that held the family together during those difficult times. By any measure, Tony lived a long, successful, and happy life. He will be remembered always by his family and friends for his winning smile; his gregarious and gentle nature; his boundless optimism; his childlike sense of fun; his fierce devotion to family and pride in their accomplishments; and his sense of humor, which never left him even as his health declined in his last years. The family would like to thank the devoted staff at Masonicare Health Center for the compassionate care they provided to Tony. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tony can be made to Masonicare Health Center, 3 Wooster, PO Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492. Funeral rites for Tony will be held Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. with the procession departing at 10 a.m. from the Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, CT. followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1755 Stanley St., New Britain, CT. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Mary Cemetery, 1141 Stanley St., New Britain, CT. The American flag will be presented to Tony's wife, Margaret. Relatives and friends may call at the Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Directions to funeral home - I-84 east or west - exit 37 - (Fienemann Rd) right off exit - one mile down on right. To extend condolences to the Poniatowski family or to share a memory of Tony, please visit shakerfuneralhome.com