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Berlin, Connecticut

Richard Paskiewicz Obituary

Richard John Paskiewicz, age 80, passed peacefully at home on October 31, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born in 1943, he spent the first 14 years of his life in Plantsville, Connecticut, where he fondly recalled the Norman Rockwell cover of the Saturday Evening Post, serving as an altar boy at Immaculate Conception Church, his grandmother's Easter bread, and noticing the trains on his way to and from school. He and his brother Robert and their parents moved to Berlin in 1957 where he made lifelong friendships at Berlin High School, from which he graduated in 1961. After college and earning his master's and sixth year degree, Richard began his career as a teacher in 1965 in the Rocky Hill Public Schools. He would spend the next 47 years as an educator, teaching in the Rocky Hill schools, serving as principal of Griswold Middle School in Rocky Hill, being promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Rocky Hill, serving as President of the Board of Education in Berlin, and then ultimately being appointed Superintendent of the Berlin Public Schools from 1995 to 2005, the proud culmination of his career. He served at the helm of the schools he, his wife, and his daughter attended. Not one to relax into retirement, he was appointed interim superintendent of the Vernon/Rockville schools in 2006 and the Canterbury schools in 2012. During his retirement, he shifted his focus to his favorite hobbies: building his model train set and gardening. Though he remained active in the Berlin Democratic Town Committee and St. Paul Catholic Church, he also enjoyed spending more time at his home in Cape Cod. He was a lifelong fan of UCONN basketball, football, and the New York Yankees, much to the disappointment of many of his friends who were Red Sox fans. Because of his varied interests, Richard could just as easily discuss home electrical wiring as baseball statistics, weather phenomena, train travel, and stock prices. He loved Berlin and was active in the community throughout his entire life.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Stella Paskiewicz. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Carol, his daughter Tracy, his brother Robert and his family, and sister-in-law Shirley Pulcini. He will be missed by so many.

Friends may call at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin, 111 Chamberlain Hwy., on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church in Kensington on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11:30 AM. Please go directly to church. Burial will follow at Maple Cemetery in Berlin. The Richard Paskiewicz Scholarship will be awarded to a Berlin High School senior who intends to pursue a degree in a STEAM-related field. In lieu of flowers, donations to the scholarship fund can be sent to: Berlin Board of Education, 238 Kensington Rd., Berlin, CT 06037 ATTN: Richard Paskiewicz Scholarship Fund. Please share a memory of Richard with the family in the online guestbook at www.ericksonhansenberlin.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Nov. 2, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
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Patti Buell

November 27, 2023

Sending my condolences to Rich´s family. He was in Vernon when I was there. He was such a good person. I appreciate the opportunity he gave me to learn from him and grow as an administrator. God bless you all. Patti Buell

Guy Parillo

November 9, 2023

Dear Carol and Tracy,
With my deepest sympathy, I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Rich was an outstanding educator, a great boss and a good and decent man. It was a pleasure, as the McGee principal, to be a member of his leadership team. He led with vision, integrity and passion, which made him an exceptional leader and worthy of the highest praise from the entire Berlin community.

Frank Amara

November 8, 2023

A fond farewell to my college big brother who established a place in my heart forever!!
Frank Amara

Susan Harris

November 7, 2023

I was Rich's mail carrier for many years. He was always friendly and respectful. A prince of a man. He will be missed.

Single Memorial Tree

David and Sharon Pulcini

Planted Trees

Len Prygoda

November 5, 2023

Dear Carol and Tracy,
It is with sadness that I have read the passing of Richard.
What a wonderful human, husband and father .
He was also a top notch educator, superintendent
The cross of Jesus Christ stands as a beacon of hope to us all.
Richard has run the race, in spades, welcome home, my good and faithful servant

David Pulcini

November 2, 2023

Our deepest condolences


Dave and Sharon Pulcini

Jim Moriarty

November 2, 2023

At this point in life, it seems odd to continue to refer to him as "Mr. Paskiewicz" since I was a student of his in the late 60´s.
He was one of the teachers who inspired me to pursue my own career in education - in
particular middle school - though we called it Jr. High back in the day. He understood "student engagement" before that was a term. He established relationships with students before any theorist said that was a good thing too. In fact -
he imported a friend and me
to act as altar boys at his wedding.

To his family: may you find comfort in knowing the tremendous impact he had on generations of students.

"Well done good and faithful servant."

Nancy Paskiewicz Mathis

November 2, 2023

So sorry to hear of cousin Richard's passing. We grew up as family and neighbors on Tower Ave. in Kensington. Richard will be remembered as a wonderful man and educator. God bless and comfort Carol and Tracy.

Cousin Nancy

Kim Ricci

November 2, 2023

Mr. Paskiewicz was my 7 th and 8 th grade science teacher. He made his classes fun and a competition between students. Long after my High School graduation I dealt with him as Asst Superintendent of Schools, here in Rocky Hill. I, of course, called him Mr. Paskiewicz, even though I was decades older and working in a professional capacity for the Town of Rocky Hill.
He and I had a good chuckle about that.

I am glad he taught in Rocky Hill. He was liked and respected by many.

My condolences to his family and friends

Kim Ricci

Bonnie L Therrien

November 2, 2023

Carol and Tracy, Rich did so much for Berlin and the youth in Town. He loved everything about Berlin and was so happy to be a part of the community. I am so lucky to have had the chance to work with him. We had a great relationship which doesn't always happen with Superintendents and Town Managers!
Tracy, he loved you so much and was extremely proud that you were following in his educational footsteps. Carol, I know this will be very hard on you, as you were very very close. He was with both of you in spirit, especially when you are at the Cape. Thanks for always being there Rich! Bonnie Therrien

Lou Anne Colamussi Mercadante

November 2, 2023

To Carol and family many fond memories of Richard through the Pulcini family may he rest in peace

Harriet and Larry Barsky

November 2, 2023

Dear Tracy, Our deepest sympathies to you and your family on the death of your beloved father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Pat Adorno

November 2, 2023

To the Paskiewicz family - So sorry for your loss.

Pat Adorno

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3

Calling hours

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin/Porter's Funeral Home

111 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, CT 06037

Nov

4

Mass of Christian Burial

11:30 a.m.

St. Paul Catholic Church

Kensington, CT

Funeral services provided by:

Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin/Porter's Funeral Home

111 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, CT 06037

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