Paul M. "Pudgie" Metsack

Paul M. Metsack 74, beloved husband of Barbara (Benjamin) Metsack, passed away Tuesday, October 18th at St. Francis Hospital. Paul was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 26, 1937 to the late Paul and Rose (Hajma) Metsack. He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Paul and Beata (Toth) Metsack and Stephen and Gail (DaRos) Metsack. He was very proud of his six grandchildren who always made him smile--Caitlyn, Gavin, Austen, Nathan, Tyler and Cameron Metsack. Paul is also survived by three brothers, Richard, Robert and Michael and two sisters, Rosemarie Piecyk and Elizabeth Piecyk and their families. He was a machinist at the East Hartford plant of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft during the 1960's. As a skilled mechanic, he worked in the family business for many years, finally retiring in 2007 from Wackenhut Security. "Pudgie" was a lifetime member of the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department. He joined the department at the age of 16 serving as an EMT, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief. In 1998 he was presented a pin for 45 years of service to the department. He was president of the Willimantic Switch Board Association and served as Windham County's Vice President to the Connecticut State Firefighters Association. Some of his happiest times were spent camping and fishing with family and friends Ted and Barbara Simmons offshore in Rhode Island. Being an avid boater and fisherman, Paul was also a Commander of the Norwich Power Squadron from 1996-1997 and served as District Safety Officer. He was awarded eight merits for service to the organization and the public and achieved the rank of Piloting. Paul will be greatly missed by his family and many friends who are invited to call at the Potter Funeral Home, 465 Jackson Street, Willimantic, Connecticut, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21st. Funeral service and burial will take place at the Woodward Cemetery, Ashford Center Road (Rte. 44) in Ashford on Saturday, October 22nd at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Ashford, CT 06278 or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .