John Richard Wilchynski

John Richard Wilchynski
John Richard Wilchynski, 91, a lifelong Hamden resident, passed away Monday, April 25, 2022 at St Raphael Campus of Yale New Haven Hospital. He was born May 28, 1930 on the family homestead in Hamden, the firstborn to Jan and Helen Wilczynski, and was a graduate of Hamden High School. John enjoyed going to Polish Hops (dances) held all over CT, and it was at one of them that he met his future wife, Dorothy Ryzewski. They were married two years later and built a home in Westwoods. They have two children, Karen Hajus and husband Keith of Madison and Stephen Wilchynski and wife Cathy of Hamden; and four granddaughters, Stephanie and Jessica Wilchynski and Lauren and Claire Hajus. John also leaves his brother, Ronald Wilchynski; and a sister, Marilyn Gruszkowski. He was predeceased by a brother, Louis Wilchynski; and a sister, Janice Dougherty. John started a contracting business, General Land Services "We Dig It", buying a large truck, trailer and backhoe and dug house foundations, swimming pools, septic systems, sewers and all kinds of in groundwork. He was a true workaholic and entrepreneur, owning five businesses during his lifetime. He was an honorary life member of Council #3605 Knights of Columbus where he was the BINGO caller. He was also a charter member of the Westwoods Volunteer Fire Co # 9. Prior to his marriage, he served in the Army National Guard where he was a musician for eight years with the 102nd Division Army Band. John and Dorothy loved to travel, especially with Vin and Pat Capuano and they went many places including, Italy, England, Scotland, Wales, Greece, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Florida, Hawaii, Disney World and Epcot; and took many cruises to various islands in the Bahamas and Bermuda. John's family sends a special thanks to the Doctors and Nurses at St. Raphael's Hospital for making this difficult time a little easier through their kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc.,1 Union St., Wallingford, CT 06492. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, at 12:00 (noon) in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will follow in ST Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Thursday morning prior to the mass from 9:30-11:30. www.siskbrothers.com