Felix R. Grzych

Felix Robert Grzych, 87, of Columbia, CT husband of Judith Fletcher Grzych passed away peacefully at home on Monday, February 27, 2017. He was born in Dudley, MA the youngest of 11 children and attended a technical school there where he trained as an auto mechanic. He graduated with honors from Bartlett High School in 1948. His teachers encouraged him to seek a college degree but instead he chose to join the Navy. Felix served on the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Kearsarge and on the Destroyer U.S.S. Brush, which struck a floating mine two miles off Tanshon Korea. It was then Felix declared, “I’m a lover not a fighter”. On December 30, 1950 while home on leave, he married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life Judith Fletcher. Shortly after, he joined the U.S. Naval Submarine School in New London, CT and served on the submarine U.S.S. Lionfish. After 5 years of military service Felix then decided to returned to school, and while raising a young family he received his BS in Math and Science and Masters in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut at Storrs. After graduation, he taught at Windham Tech for 8 years before serving as assistant director at the Albert Prince Technical School in Hartford. From there he served as the director of Windham Tech until he retired. Felix was a passionate golfer and a member of the Willimantic Country Club for over 40 years. He was particularly proud of his 7 holes in one. He also loved the Red Sox, playing cards and gardening.

Felix loved his family dearly and leaves behind his beloved wife Judy of 66 years, his children and their spouses, Susan and Gregory Zoller of Greenwood Village, Nancy Parikh of San Francisco, CA, Jonathan and Colette of Essex Junction, VT, Jane and Mark Malyszko of Broad Brook, CT, and David and Bobbi Grzych of Columbia, CT. He also leaves 14 grandchildren Chris, Meghan, Justin, Elizabeth, Michael, Kaitlyn, Ari, Leah, Jenna, Leslie, Aaron, Carli, Jaime and Jacob; 5 great-grandchildren, Austin, Andrew Felix, Colin, Carson and Joey, as well as his sister Clara Cournoyer of Southbridge, MA. A special thanks to Felix's many caregiver's who pampered him, especially Sharon Phaneuf who was like a daughter.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Columbia Fire Department, Route 66 Columbia CT 06237 or The Marginal Way Preservation Fund, PO Box 1455, Ogunquit, ME 03907-1455 his favorite place to visit.

Calling hours will be Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 2:00-4:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 6, 2017 at 10:00am, Saint Columba, 328 Rte. 66, Columbia, CT. A military burial will follow at the West Street Cemetery.

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