Daniel D. "Dan" Masakowski

12/11/1946 - 3/25/2023

Stonington - Daniel D. "Dan" Masakowski of Stonington, passed away peacefully at his home following a lengthy battle with cancer Saturday, March 25, 2023, with his beloved wife, Yvonne, children and grandchildren by his side. Dan was the loving son of John T. and Stasia A. (Gorney) Masakowski of Nanticoke, Pa.

He leaves behind his devoted and cherished wife, of 58 years, Yvonne R. (Centak); and his children, Daniel J. and Sherry (Pesino) Masakowski of Mystic, and Jennifer L. (Masakowski) Coley and her husband Andrew, of Clinton. He also leaves behind three grandsons, Michael C. and Rachel M. Lavallee; and great-granddaughter Eleanor "Ella" June Lavallee of Deep River; as well as Owen D. and Jack T. Masakowski of Mystic, and Allison, William and Nathaniel Pesino of Bristol, who brought so much joy to his life. He also leaves behind three sisters, Ladislaw (Waj) Kowalski, of Vero Beach, Fla., Sabina Pietraszko of Wall Township, N.J., and Joan and Francis Jackson of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dan was predeceased by his beloved brothers: Francis Masakowski of Tucson, Ariz., Michael Masakowski, of Port Elizabeth, Maine, the Reverend Msgr. John C. Masakowski, of Larksville, Pa., Joseph Masakowski, of Norristown, Pa., Albin Masakowski, of Nanticoke, Pa., and the Reverend Edward Masakowski of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Dan was a graduate of Marymount High School and Rutgers University with a B.S. degree in chemistry. He was a retired technical director of Marmon Innovation and Technology, formerly known as Rockbestos-Surprenant in East Granby, for forty years. Following his retirement, he continued to consult and advise engineers at Marmon Innovation and Technology.

Dan served in the United States Army (Reserves), from 1966 to 1972, before receiving an honorable discharge in February 1972. He achieved the rank of Sp4, in the United States Army, 298th Army Security Agency (ASA), Fort Hancock, at Sandy Hook, N. J.

He was a man of faith, a parishioner and a choir member of St. Patrick Parish, in Mystic, for the past 19 years. He was inducted as a fourth degree knight by the Knights of Columbus, Old Saybrook, while he was serving as grand knight of St Lawrence, Killingworth's Knights of Columbus (1988-2004). He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Mystic Council #1943 for 19 years (2004-2023). Dan was a founding member of the St. Lawrence, Killingworth's Knights of Columbus where he served as the grand knight and treasurer (1988-1997). Lastly, he was also a founding member of the Christ the King Parish's Knights of Columbus, in Worcester, Maine (1997-2004). He was awarded a lifetime membership with the Knights of Columbus for his 25 years of service by the St Patrick Knights of Columbus, Mystic.

Dan was widely regarded and respected throughout the wire and cable industry as an innovative, pioneering engineer. He received accolades and awards for his accomplishments and contributions to engineering in the wire and cable industry. He was a member of the Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA). He was the president of the ICEA Control and Instrumentation Division. He held numerous patents dedicated to the wire and cable industry and presented numerous papers at national and international technical conferences and symposia. Dan was especially proud of developing and leading an Engineering Internship Program at Ferris College, Mich., and at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, in the material science and engineering department for the development of future engineers.

Dan loved music and sang in every parish choir where he lived, including the St. Patrick church choir, Mystic. He was an avid opera and jazz music enthusiast. He enjoyed golf for the camaraderie it provided and loved carpentry, both building and restoring homes. Becoming a grandfather brought a special spark to Dan's life and his grandchildren will miss him dearly.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A Rosary will be offered during the Thursday evening Wake. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, April 14, at St. Patrick Church, 32 E. Main Street, Mystic. His burial with a military honors ceremony will be conducted following his Mass at St. Patrick Cemetery, River Road, Mystic.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Legacy in Action Project (CLAP), a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit organization in Collegeville, Pa. https://clap-usa.org. This organization, founded by Dan's niece, Ms. Patricia Colucci, focuses on helping newly bereaved families to create meaningful legacy projects that will honor their loved ones who died from cancer.

The family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave a note of condolence.