Edward John Drzal

Edward John Drzal, 80, of New Milford, died Monday, January 1, 2007, at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of the late Doris Bradley Drzal.
Mr. Drzal was born in New Milford, November 14, 1926, son of the late John and Patrenia Gawel Drzal.
A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Naval Air Force.
A master builder and engineer, he owned and operated Drzal Construction in New Milford for more than 30 years. He built the original Barkers, First National and Morey IGA Food Stores, McDonald's, Rittman Ford, and most of the town's municipal buildings, including the firehouse. He engineered and built over 20 bridges, mostly in New Milford, and had the town contract for snow plowing half of New Milford's roads for more than 30 years. After his wife's passing, he became the New Milford Public Works director from 1983 to 1993.
Known for his outspoken manner, Mr. Drzal was treasured for his expressive nature at public zoning meetings.
In his early years, after service in the Naval Air Force and training in the original NASA program, he raced midgets and stock cars at the Danbury Fair race track.
Mr. Drzal was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church, a member of the New Milford V.F.W. Post 1673 and the Odd Fellows Lodge.
Mr. Drzal is survived by a daughter, Jeanne Anne Campbell and her husband, Scott of Wappinger Falls, N.Y.; a brother, Louis Drzal of New Milford; a sister, Catherine Buczek of New Milford; two grandchildren: Heather Anne Campbell and Jonathan Michael Bradley Campbell and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, New Milford. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, New Milford.
Friends may call Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford.
Contributors in his memory may be made to Good Sheperd Scholarship Fund, 25 Danbury Road, New Milford, Conn. 06776.