George Valzania

George Valzania came to the United States when he was 14 years old. By himself.
He was born on June 5, 1935 in Fano, a little seaside town in Italy. His father served as a Nurse in the Italian Army and died after stepping on a landmine when George was just a child, toward the end of WW2.
Without opportunity in Italy, George bravely came to the United States to live with distant relatives who were masons by trade. He lived in the basement of a stone house in Bethel - a house he helped build.
Yes, stone by stone.
"Stone by stone" is a metaphor for George's long and robust life.
Conquering the language barrier, he attended Abbott Technical High School in Danbury where he studied carpentry. He was a member of the first graduating class in the new building. All the while, George took night classes to become a citizen of the United States so that he could enlist in the U.S. Army at the age of 18.
George served 4 years in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany during peacetime. It was during these years he learned the printing trade and worked as an interpreter. He developed a love for Photography as well. Upon his discharge, he returned to Bethel, CT and secured a job at Danbury Printing & Litho where he worked as a Lithographer before it closed. He then worked for Morganti in Danbury until his retirement.
Several years after his discharge from the service, George met the love of his life, Barbara Schneider, on Main Street in Danbury. They were married on August 29, 1963 in Georgetown, CT. They enjoyed nearly 61 years together along with their two sons, Mark and Brian, their daughters-in-law, Kimberly and Lisa, and their two grandchildren, Tyler and Jami.
Along the way, they remained in this part of Connecticut, making homes in Danbury, New Fairfield, Brookfield, New Milford and Bridgewater.
They enjoyed the company of their gang of best friends and shared a "nearly family" relationship with Al and Nancy Gouveia (and their four sons) of New Fairfield, CT.
Most recently, they made the trip to New Orleans, LA to celebrate Tyler's marriage to Brenna, where George easily became the life of the party, dancing on top of the coffee table in what can only be described as a moment of unfettered joy.
Those are the easy words. Facts always are. But what about the intangibles, the things we all knew about George, the things a few paragraphs on the history of his life can't begin to touch?
"Stone by stone," George overcame so much.
Imagine stepping aboard a ship by yourself at the tender age of 14, leaving your mother and sister behind, not knowing one word of English, and going off to live in a country you've only heard about with people you've never met?
That's exactly what George did.
And, in doing so, we believe he learned there was nothing he couldn't do.
Masonry, carpentry, printing, photography. George was a very quick study. He marveled at engineering and machinery. He loved figuring out the way things worked. George didn't believe anything was true unless he himself actually experimented or experienced it. He was the type of person who would touch a hot stove after being told it was hot, only to be the one to declare, "that stove is hot!" This was his personality quirk that always made us chuckle.
There was nothing he couldn't fix or build. He built countless decks, and walkways, and stone walls. He even built a beautiful pergola at his home in Brookfield.
He was a fabulous dancer. When George and Barbara danced together to the old 50's hits, everyone stopped to watch. He was smooth and made anyone who danced with him look good.
To help make ends meet, he was a bartender and a waiter. As a young man, he worked at Jim Barbarie's Restaurant in Danbury. Just a few short weeks ago, someone recognized him in a store from his days working there - it was a magical, funny moment that made him smile. It proved what we all know to be true - George was indeed a memorable man.
He had a fantastic smile. Barbara has always said he was the most handsome man she ever met.
He was an actor too. He performed in plays at The Brookfield Theater for the Arts – just because he could and wanted to. He was naturally charismatic.
He loved antiques. Mark and Brian often reflect on how they were "dragged around" to antique shops and flea markets so George and Barb could collect valuable marble-top furniture and paintings of George Washington. He loved and valued history.
He worked hard, but believed in a bit of luck. He played the CT Lotto religiously twice a week!
George, without his father, became an excellent father. He was an amazing grandfather too. He was "good" at it because he was present, always, with a hug, with a dollar, a ride - with anything necessary, any time it was necessary.
Coming from nothing, George was generous. He saved $25 a week so he could take his family to Italy and Europe. He took them all to Hawaii, too. Big trips that made for lasting memories.
George, without his mother, was a nurturer. He loved animals and children. Any innocent being made him smile sentimentally. He loved babies.
He always wanted to jump out of a plane and so he did - when he was 75 years old!
He absolutely loved the movies. The first movie he ever saw was Fantasia as a child and we believe it instilled a lifelong interest in going to the movies. Mark and Brian have wonderful memories of going to the Danbury Drive-In with their dad.
And, he was a tennis player too. In his "heyday," he was the Men's Singles Champion at Beaver Brook Tennis Club.
Born Italian. Died American.
Stone by stone, George built a life we all admire. His presence left an indelible mark on those of us who loved and knew him.
He had passionate opinions.
He was quick with a quip or a joke.
He was brave.
He was loyal, intelligent and diligent.
He wasn't afraid of hard work or the unknown because he believed in his own talents.
He remained curious and hopeful and adventurous.
He followed his heart.
All these descriptors magnify the man we loved.
On his 90th birthday, George passed quietly, quickly and peacefully with no drama or fuss, no illness or suffering, in the arms of his beloved wife Barbara after just two days in the hospital.
Committed husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Un saluto caloroso a George Valzania! Ti abbiamo amato tantissimo!
(Cheers to George Valzania! We all loved you so much!)