Anthony John Krawczyk

Anthony John Krawczyk, 94, of Port St Lucie, Florida, formerly of East Hartford and Columbia, died peacefully Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, surrounded by his family.

"Tony", as he was known by all, was born Nov. 12, 1926, to parents Anthony and Sophie (Gaiko) Krawczyk, and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts. He graduated from what was then Salem Teachers College (now Salem State University) in Salem, Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in junior high school education in 1949, followed by a master's degree in education at the University of Hartford in 1954 and additional accreditation from the University of Connecticut in 1962. A lifelong lover of sports, his bachelor days were spent participating in multiple bowling leagues and softball leagues after moving to Connecticut. It was in Connecticut where he met his life's love, Margaret "Peg" Ash. Tony and Peg were married May 26, 1962, at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Glastonbury, followed by a reception at Peg's home on Apple Hill. That day began their lifelong inseparable bond. When family came, Tony gladly gave up his sports-filled life to focus on his family. His home on Whitehall Drive in East Hartford was the place to play sports in the summer and, despite an energy crisis in the mid-1970s, was never cold in the winter. It was known for its spectacular Christmas days and wholesome, family-focused evenings. Tony participated fully in his children's activities which included coaching his sons as members of various Elks teams in the East Hartford Little League in the 1970s. He was his daughters' 'go to' for all car related issues; there was never a dent to which they couldn't confess or a ticket he wouldn't smooth over with Peg on their behalf. He and Peg bowled together every Friday night for decades at Silver Lanes in East Hartford as part of the "Friday Night Mixers.' It was also in East Hartford where Tony began his career in education, first as a teacher, then as a beloved elementary school principal, beginning in 1963 as Anne E. Norris school's first principal, before moving on to Franklin H. Mayberry school for 14 years. He wrapped up his 43-year career in education when he retired from John A. Langford School in 1992. As principal, "Mr. K" would personally encourage his students, all of whom he knew by name; he would wave goodbye to the walkers and each of the busses at the end of each and every school day, one of the many 'above and beyond' traits that endeared him to his staff, his students and their families such that he was fondly recalled years after his retirement by all who saw or heard his last name. Tony was a die-hard fan of all Boston sport teams. The Celtics won many NBA championships on his watch as did the Patriots, but it was "his" Red Sox who finally came through in a big way in the final years of Tony's life, as we know, winning the World Series in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018 to vindicate the losses he witnessed in 1946, 1967, 1975 and 1986. Tony loved expanding his mind. He was a crossword puzzle expert and a dedicated reader. He and Peg worked the Jumble each day, Tony first and then Peg, with Tony serving as Peg's designated speller and hint provider.

Tony is survived by his wife of 59 years, Peg Krawczyk of Port St Lucie; his son Michael Krawczyk and his wife, Robin of Glastonbury, and their children, Joseph Cutuli of Allentown, Pennsylvania and Maggie Krawczyk of Salem; his daughter Susan Sweat and her husband, Dave of Charlestown, West Virginia, and their children Nick of Chicago, Illinois, Steven of Seattle, Washington; Kathleen Rook her husband, Doug and their daughter Charlotte of Aldie, Virginia; and Joel and Lydia of Charlestown, West Virginia; his son David Krawczyk and his wife, Susan and their children Daniel and Nina of Hebron; his daughter Lynn Hanvey, her husband, Matt and their children Colleen, Thomas and John of Allentown, Pennsylvania; his niece Paula Turcotte of Framingham, Massachusetts; his nephew Edward Sylvanowicz and his wife, Irene and family of Salem Massachusetts; his niece and goddaughter Connie Rath of Salisbury, Massachusetts; and his nephew Bill Baur of Danville, New Hampshire. In addition to his parents, Tony was predeceased by his sisters Stella Sylvanowicz, Matilda (Tillie) Iwan and Elizabeth (Betty) Baur; and brothers-in-law Edward Sylvanowicz, Jack Iwan and Robert Baur.

Tony will be fondly remembered by his family as a loving, gentle, kind, honest and caring family man, someone who was their angel here on earth, and by scores of faculty, staff and past parent/student families from his working days. He leaves having cultivated bountiful friendships over the past 30 years at Savannah Club in Port St Lucie. Tony was a communicant in Connecticut at St. Christopher Church in East Hartford and St. Columba Church in Columbia, and finally, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Port St Lucie.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at St. Columba Church, 328 Route 66, Columbia, on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m., with internment following at the New Storrs Cemetery located at 82 N Eagleville Road, Storrs, on the northside of UConn's main campus. All are invited.