Richard P. Bednarz

1946 - 2019

Richard P. Bednarz of Wethersfield (formerly of Hebron), CT. died on February 10, 2019 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford due to complications from cancer. He was 73 years old. Mr. Bednarz was born on January 6, 1946 in Hartford, CT to mother Emilia Bednarz and father Edward Bednarz. Richard grew up in Hartford, CT. attending St. Cyril's School and graduating from Bulkeley High School in 1964. Richard attended Springfield College on a football scholarship and was a member of the only ever undefeated/untied Springfield College football team in 1965. Mr. Bednarz graduated Springfield College earning a degree in Mathematics and went on to Wesleyan University to earn a master's degree. Mr. Bednarz began teaching mathematics at Coventry High School in 1969 and work tirelessly in the Coventry school system for 50 years doing what he loved, teaching. In 1977 he moved to Hebron, CT. and married Barbara Sperry of Coventry and in 1979 they welcomed their first son Jason followed by a second son, Michael, in 1980, and a daughter, Amanda, in 1983. Mr. Bednarz devoted his life to the teaching and raising of kids, both his students, his children, his niece and nephew, and grandchildren. When Mr. Bednarz was not in his classroom, he could often be found at St. Peter's field in Hebron coaching baseball, tutoring SAT prep courses, working one of two side chimney sweep companies he started, or down at the shore at his summer home in Clinton, CT. In 2014, Mr. Bednarz helped establish Coventry Academy, a school dedicated to education of kids in which the public-school environment did not match well. There, Mr. Bednarz would teach not just math, but science, english, social studies, as well as general life skills. Mr. Bednarz is survived by his sister, Janet Adams of Granby, CT. Son Jason Bednarz of Bolton, VT. Son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jennifer Bednarz of Winsted, CT. Daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Cory Coleman of Portland, OR. Nephew and Niece Marc and Carolyn Adams of Granby, CT. and 3 grandchildren, Gunnar, Autumn, and Diana. Calling hours will be held Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 10 am – 12 pm at Tolland Memorial Funeral Home (375 Merrow Rd. –Rt.195, Tolland, CT. 06084) A Funeral Home Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 pm with a reception to follow at Coventry Lakeview Restaurant (50 Lake St. Coventry CT. 06238). For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com