Jozef Starczewski

Jozef Starczewski passed away Saturday afternoon, February 4, 2006 in New Britain. He was the only son born to his parents Eleonora and Wincenty, in Kutno, Poland in 1914. He survived famine and conflict living in the Wola area of Warsaw during the First World War, the war of 1920 and World War II. An avid cyclist, he traveled to all corners of his native country, and participated in the sport of breeding and racing homing pigeons. In Poland, he apprenticed at Szpotanski Factory works and later was a trusted serviceman working exclusively for ASEA. He served in the Army Horse Cavalry and later in the mechanized cavalry in communications. Jozef was re-mobilized with the army at Modlin when Germany attacked Poland in 1939. He was arrested and imprisoned three times by the German occupying forces, including the Gestapo's notorious Pawiak prison in Warsaw, from which he escaped during a breakout while in transit to execution. He was proud of his struggle to sustain his family and liberate and rebuild the country of his birth. He married Irena Szczypinska during the war and they recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Jozef and his family immigrated to the United States in 1962 and settled in New Britain. An employee of Admiral Tool Co. of New Britain for thirty-five years, he worked at several area companies as a tool and die maker until the age of 90. The constants in his life were his love of work, music, bird watching, stamp collecting and especially gardening. He is survived by his wife Irena, his daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth and Adam Jarzebowski, his daughter and son-in-law Lala and Henry Radziwon, and son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Mona Starczewski. He is also survived by his grandchildren Agnes and her husband Mariusz Wnuk, Conrad Jarzebowski, and Martin Jarzebowski, and great-grandchildren, Caroline and Stefan Wnuk. He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters Lucina and Stasia, and niece Teresa, as well as many dear relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1755 Stanley Street, New Britain. Burial will held at the convenience of the family. Friends may visit with the family Thursday morning from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St., New Britain. In lieu of flowers contributions in Jozef's memory may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Middle School, 30 Pendleton Road, New Britain CT, 06053.