John J. Kolega

John J. Kolega, 81, of Mansfield, husband of Alice (Harten) Kolega, died Friday May 18, 2007 at the Windham Hospital. He was born March 9, 1926 in New Haven, the son of Nicholas and Estelle (Bozelko) Kolega and had lived in Mansfield the past 40 years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific. Mr. Kolega was a long time communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel in Storrs and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Prior to his retirement in 1989 he was an Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Connecticut for many years. He was a member of numerous organizations including Emeritus AAUP, CSEA Retirees and the Windham Whirlers Square Dance Club. In addition to his wife he is survived by 7 children, Anne Theriault and her husband Richard of Ashford, Patricia Kolega and her partner David Jennings of Willington, John Kolega and his wife Wendy Kinsey of Amherst, NY, Margaret Kolega of Tucson, AZ, James Kolega of Manchester, Katherine Nash and her husband Jules Cochrane of Big Sur, CA, Mary Painter and her partner Jason Hannigan of West Hartford, 10 grandchildren, Christopher, Vitaly, Natasha, Rebecca, Kinsey, Hayley, Tristan, Owen, Jared and Mahayla, a brother, William Kolega of Plantation, FL, a sister, Jeannette Kapinos of West Haven, several nieces and nephews. His family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Rte. 195, Willimantic on Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 North Eagleville Rd. Storrs. Burial will follow in the Storrs Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Covenant Soup Kitchen, 220 Valley St., Willimantic, CT 06226. Please visit www.potterfh.com for directions and online memorial guestbook.