George J. Radachowsky Sr.

George J. Radachowsky, Sr., 88, husband of Carol Barrett-Radachowsky died on September 1, 2025. Family and friends will be received on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM at Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Avenue, Danbury. Interment will be held Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Cemetery, Danbury.

Obituary:

George J. Radachowsky, Sr., 88, of Danbury, Connecticut, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving children on Monday, September 1, 2025, after a long and valiant existence with dementia. George was born on April 3, 1937, in Danbury, Connecticut to the late John Sr. and Mary (Fallat) Radachowsky and was the youngest of their five children.

A 1955 Danbury High School graduate, George was a hometown Hatters football hero and a 3-year starter basketball standout. When he entered Danbury High School, he had a News-Times paper route which he sold to have time to participate in high school sports. He first tried out for the junior varsity football team, but when a varsity player was injured, Radachowsky was brought up to varsity. The first play of his first game, he ran 86 yards for a touchdown. And, so, the legend began.

As a sophomore, junior and senior running back, Radachowsky earned many nicknames: "Mr. Touchdown DHS," "Crazy Legs" and the "Galloping Ghost." In the final game of his stellar high school career, the Hatters were playing Norwalk in their Thanksgiving Day game. The Hatters' undefeated season was at stake. George ended his DHS football career with a school record-setting 99-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play of the game, scoring next on a 40-yard "gallop" for his second touchdown of the game capping a 12-touchdown season for George. Danbury beat Norwalk 14-2, making the 1954 season the only undefeated, untied season in Danbury High School history. Along with his two sons, George was inducted into the Danbury High School Hall of Fame on October 26, 2018. After his 1955 graduation from DHS, George attended Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine, on a football scholarship.

George never moved out of Danbury, marrying the former Rachel Lacroix, raising a family in the Danbury home he built for them that is still in his family. Befitting he passed on Labor Day as George worked tirelessly all his life without complaint. He worked for Hoffman Fuel, Barden Corporation and was most proud of his own house painting business, Radachowsky Painting, especially when working side by side with his two sons. George could also be found working alongside his house-building brother, John, for whom he had the utmost respect for and was deeply saddened by John's passing in 2023. He was a steadfast friend to many and mourned the passing of each as the years went by. George enjoyed visiting Pennsylvania, in particular the Amish areas and befriending many a family and enjoying hardy meals at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Pearl and shopping for paint supplies at the Green Dragon Flea Market in Ephrata.

George was an avid vegetable gardener, a cribbage and setback card shark, and a master tinkerer of lawn tractors and equipment. He took great pride in his yard and in his "dad jokes". In his later years he could often be found de-barking logs for his wood stove, working on his lawn and stopping by his children's houses for a cup of coffee and a donut. As a house painter, he cringed at the sight of walls with pictures, mirrors, art on them and was always eyeing the condition of walls and ceilings wherever he went.

George was an avid supporter of his children's academic and sports prowess. Offering words of encouragement and "back in the day" anecdotes, he would often help with homework and attend his sons' baseball, basketball and football games from youth through the pros. A truly proud parent who supported his children's wishes to play sports, George not only cheered on his sons and their teams, his daughter Cheryl at the track, he would also applaud an opposing player when a good play was made. He was a game analyst, an arm-chair coach, and an applauding grandstand parent, a true lover of many sports, a parent who never pushed his children into sports but let them make their own decisions.

He was a member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church for many years, a church his parents helped found, and he was a former member of its men's club enjoying its many social benefits and the long-term friendships he made with fellow parishioners.

Over the past 27 months, George especially enjoyed time spent with each of his four children, playing cards, shopping for and sharing Reese's peanut butter cups and Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, enjoying a PB&J sandwich, shopping at Home Depot, Costco, Walmart, getting a fritter at Dunkin, feeding the geese, returning soda cans and just enjoying outings every chance he could. Dementia robbed him of many memories but he always had a smile for his children and grandchildren and lived in the moment when he was with them, never saying no to a Pepsi or an ice cream and always noticing walls and ceilings that needed patching or painting.

George leaves behind his four devoted children, Lynn Negron (Michael), George Jr., Cheryl Radachowsky and Gregg Radachowsky (Jennifer), and eight grandchildren: Lena Negron, Garron Negron, Olivia Hancock (Tyler), Isabella Negron, Kennon Negron, Alanna Smith, Nicholas Smith and Sydney Radachowsky. "Mr. Touchdown DHS" sports legacy continues through his grandchildren in many different sports. George had a close relationship with his favorite (and only) son-in-law, Michael Negron, often found snacking together on Little Debbie Swiss Rolls and chocolate milk and randomly calling each other "Charlie." George also leaves behind his ex-wife and mother of his children Rachel Radachowsky who was by his side at his time of death as well as many cherished nieces and nephews, George was predeceased by his parents as well as his siblings and their spouses: John Jr. Radachowsky (Elizabeth "Betty"), Ann Radachowsky, Mary Woodin (Eugene "Jeep") and Elizabeth "Betty" Singer (Eugene "Gene") as well as his nephews David Radachowsky and Dennis Woodin and by his favorite dog, Lacey.

George's children would like to thank the Danbury Hospital 8th floor physicians, nurses, PCTs, radiologists, respiratory, speech, dietary, phlebotomy, case management, palliative and hospice, the chaplains, the Goldstone staff and all others for their exemplary month-long care, comfort and compassion as well as the kind and comforting staff and volunteers at Regional Hospice of Western CT. "Dad received the very best care combined with genuine compassion and dignity during his last month. For that we are eternally grateful as well as for the support and comfort you each gave our family. Thank you."

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM at Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Avenue, Danbury. Interment will be held Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Cemetery, Danbury.

Please consider a donation in George's name to Regional Hospice of Western CT, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810.